Chemical-looping steam methane reforming over macroporous CeO2–ZrO2 solid solution: Effect of calcination temperature

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy Vol. 39; no. 25; pp. 13361 - 13368
• Main Authors: Zheng, Yane, Wei, Yonggang, Li, Kongzhai, Zhu, Xing, Wang, Hua, Wang, Yuhao
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 22.08.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Alternative fuels. Production and utilization; Applied sciences; CL-SMR; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; Fuels; Hydrogen; Macroporous CeO2–ZrO2; Oxygen carrier; Syngas; Oxygen carrier; Macroporous CeO2–ZrO2; Hydrogen; CL-SMR; Syngas; Methane; ZrO; Macroporous CeO; Steam reforming; Cerium oxide; Solid solution; Synthesis gas
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2014.04.116

Chemical-looping steam methane reforming (CL-SMR) is a novel process for the co-production of pure hydrogen and syngas without purification processes. A series of CeO2–ZrO2 mixed oxides were prepared by colloidal crystal templating method with calcination temperature increasing from 450 to 850 °C. The structural characteristic and reducibility of CeO2–ZrO2 oxygen carriers were investigated by SEM, XRD and TPR techniques and correlated to their reactivity for CL-SMR. The CeO2–ZrO2 mixed oxides calcined at low temperatures (e.g., 450 °C) exhibit a better uniform and three-dimensionally ordered macroporous structure, which enhance the mobility of oxygen species, improving the reducibility of CeO2–ZrO2 oxygen carriers. The ordered macroporous structure can lead to a high reactivity for CL-SMR, especially for the hydrogen production in water splitting reaction. It was found that the Ce–Zr-450 sample showed the best performance for H2 production. After ten redox CL-SMR cycles at 800 °C, the Ce–Zr-450 sample still maintained relatively high hydrogen yield and the three-dimensionally ordered macroporous structure remained in good condition, indicating high reactivity and structural stability. •Ordered macroporous structure could improve reactivity in CL-SMR.•Macroporous sample with higher stability in structure and thermal.•Macroporous Ce–Zr-450 sample showed the best performance for H2 production.