Carbon dioxide separation and dry reforming of methane for synthesis of syngas by a dual-phase membrane reactor

High-temperature CO₂ selective membranes offer potential for use to separate flue gas and produce a warm, pure CO₂ stream as a chemical feedstock. The coupling of separation of CO₂ by a ceramic-carbonate dual-phase membrane with dry reforming of CH₄ to produce syngas is reported. CO₂ permeation and the dry reforming reaction performance of the membrane reactor were experimentally studied with a CO₂-N₂ mixture as the feed and CH₄ as the sweep gas passing through either an empty permeation chamber or one that was packed with a solid catalyst. CO₂ permeation flux through the membrane matches the rate of dry reforming of methane using a 10% Ni/γ-alumina catalyst at temperatures above 750°C. At 850°C under the reaction conditions, the membrane reactor gives a CO₂ permeation flux of 0.17 mL min^-1 cm^-2, hydrogen production rate of 0.3 mL min^-1 cm^-2 with a H₂ to CO formation ratio of about 1, and conversion of CO₂ and CH₄, respectively, of 88.5 and 8.1%.