Reforming of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-Containing Natural Gas Using an AC Gliding Arc System: Effect of Gas Components in Natural Gas

The objective of the present work was to study the reforming of simulated natural gas via the nonthermal plasma process with the focus on the production of hydrogen and higher hydrocarbons. The reforming of simulated natural gas was conducted in an alternating current (AC) gliding arc reactor under ambient conditions. The feed composition of the simulated natural gas contained a CH₄:C₂H₆:C₃H₈:CO₂ molar ratio of 70:5:5:20. To investigate the effects of all gaseous hydrocarbons and CO₂ present in the natural gas, the plasma reactor was operated with different feed compositions: pure CH₄, CH₄/He, CH₄/C₂H₆/He, CH₄/C₂H₆/C₃H₈/He and CH₄/C₂H₆/C₃H₈/CO₂. The results showed that the addition of gas components to the feed strongly influenced the reaction performance and the plasma stability. In comparisons among all the studied feed systems, both hydrogen and C₂ hydrocarbon yields were found to depend on the feed gas composition in the following order: CH₄/C₂H₆/C₃H₈/CO₂ > CH₄/C₂H₆/C₃H₈/He > CH₄/C₂H₆/He > CH₄/He > CH₄. The maximum yields of hydrogen and C₂ products of approximately 35% and 42%, respectively, were achieved in the CH₄/C₂H₆/C₃H₈/CO₂ feed system. In terms of energy consumption for producing hydrogen, the feed system of the CH₄/C₂H₆/C₃H₈/CO₂ mixture required the lowest input energy, in the range of 3.58 × 10⁻¹⁸–4.14 × 10⁻¹⁸ W s (22.35–25.82 eV) per molecule of produced hydrogen.     

Combined Reforming and Partial Oxidation of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-Containing Natural Gas Using an AC Multistage Gliding Arc Discharge System: Effect of Stage Number of Plasma Reactors

The effect of stage number of multistage AC gliding arc discharge reactors on the process performance of the combined reforming and partial oxidation of simulated CO₂-containing natural gas having a CH₄:C₂H₆:C₃H₈:CO₂ molar ratio of 70:5:5:20 was investigated. For the experiments with partial oxidation, either pure oxygen or air was used as the oxygen source with a fixed hydrocarbon-to-oxygen molar ratio of 2/1. Without partial oxidation at a constant feed flow rate, all conversions of hydrocarbons, except CO₂, greatly increased with increasing number of stages from 1 to 3; but beyond 3 stages, the reactant conversions remained almost unchanged. However, for a constant residence time, only C₃H₈ conversion gradually increased, whereas the conversions of the other reactants remained almost unchanged. The addition of oxygen was found to significantly enhance the process performance of natural gas reforming. The utilization of air as an oxygen source showed a superior process performance to pure oxygen in terms of reactant conversion and desired product selectivity. The optimum energy consumption of 12.05 × 10²⁴ eV per mole of reactants converted and 9.65 × 10²⁴ eV per mole of hydrogen produced was obtained using air as an oxygen source and 3 stages of plasma reactors at a constant residence time of 4.38 s.     

Synthesis Gas Production from CO2-Containing Natural Gas by Combined Steam Reforming and Partial Oxidation in an AC Gliding Arc Discharge

In this study, a technique of combining steam reforming with partial oxidation of CO₂-containing natural gas in a gliding arc discharge plasma was investigated. The effects of several operating parameters including: hydrocarbons (HCs)/O₂ feed molar ratio; input voltage; input frequency; and electrode gap distance; on reactant conversions, product selectivities and yields, and power consumptions were examined. The results showed an increase in either methane (CH₄) conversion or synthesis gas yield with increasing input voltage and electrode gap distance, whereas the opposite trends were observed with increasing HCs/O₂ feed molar ratio and input frequency. The optimum conditions were found at a HCs/O₂ feed molar ratio of 2/1, an input voltage of 14.5?kV, an input frequency of 300?Hz, and an electrode gap distance of 6?mm, providing high CH₄ and O₂ conversions with high synthesis gas selectivity and relatively low power consumptions, as compared with the other processes (sole natural gas reforming, natural gas reforming with steam, and combined natural gas reforming with partial oxidation).     

A Microporous Metal‐Organic Framework Supramolecularly Assembled from a CuII Dodecaborate Cluster Complex for Selective Gas Separation

A novel 3D metal‐organic framework BSF‐1 based on the closo‐dodecaborate cluster [B₁₂H₁₂]^2? was readily prepared at room temperature by supramolecular assembly of CuB₁₂H₁₂ and 1,2‐bis(4‐pyridyl)acetylene. The permanent microporous structure was studied by X‐ray crystallography, powder X‐ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and gas sorption. The experimental and theoretical study of the gas sorption behavior of BSF‐1 for N₂, C₂H₂, C₂H₄, CO₂, C₃H₈, C₂H₆, and CH₄ indicated excellent separation selectivities for C₃H₈/CH₄, C₂H₆/CH₄, and C₂H₂/CH₄ as well as moderately high separation selectivities for C₂H₂/C₂H₄, C₂H₂/CO₂, and CO₂/CH₄. Moreover, the practical separation performance of C₃H₈/CH₄ and C₂H₆/CH₄ was confirmed by dynamic breakthrough experiments. The good cyclability and high water/thermal stability render it suitable for real industrial applications.     

Production of Hydrogen-Rich Syngas from Biogas Reforming with Partial Oxidation Using a Multi-Stage AC Gliding Arc System

The aim of this research work was to evaluate the possibility of upgrading the simulated biogas (70?% CH₄ and 30?% CO₂) for hydrogen-rich syngas production using a multi-stage AC gliding arc system. The results showed that increasing stage number of plasma reactors, applied voltage and electrode gap distance enhanced both CH₄ and CO₂ conversions, in contrast with the increases in feed flow rate and input frequency. The gaseous products were mainly H₂ and CO, with small amounts of C₂H₂, C₂H₄ and C₂H₆. The optimum conditions for hydrogen-rich syngas production using the four-stage AC gliding arc system were a feed flow rate of 150?cm³/min, an input frequency of 300?Hz, an applied voltage of 17?kV and an electrode gap distance of 6?mm. At the minimum power consumption (3.3?×?10^?18?W?s/molecule of biogas converted and 2.8?×?10^?18?W?s/molecule of syngas produced), CH₄ and CO₂ conversions were 21.5 and 5.7?%, respectively, H₂ and CO selectivities were 57.1 and 14.9?%, respectively, and H₂/CO (hydrogen-rich syngas) was 6.9. The combination of the plasma reforming and partial oxidation provided remarkable improvements to the overall process performance, especially in terms of reducing both the power consumption and the carbon formation on the electrode surface but the produced syngas had a much lower H₂/CO ratio, depending on the oxygen/methane feed molar ratio. The best feed molar ratio of O₂-to-CH₄ ratio was found to be 0.3/1, providing the CH₄ conversion of 81.4?%, CO₂ conversion of 49.3?%, O₂ conversion of 92.4?%, H₂ selectivity of 49.5?%, CO selectivity of 49.96?%, and H₂/CO of 1.6.     

Adsorption of natural gas and its whole components on adsorbents

Adsorption of each component of natural gas on adsorbent prepared from petroleum coke was studied. At 25 °C and 3.5 MPa, adsorption capacity of the components of natural gas are as follows: C₃H₈, H₂S(0.980) > CO₂(0.691) > C₂H₆(0.160) > CH₄(0.136) > N₂(0.096) (g/g). For natural gas, adsorption capacity is 145.2 (mL/mL) and delivery capacity is 105.7 (mL/mL). One equation between adsorption capacity and boiling point of adsorbed gas was firstly generalized. The adsorption capacity of different component like O₂, N₂, CH₄, C₂H₆, CO₂, H₂S on adsorbents were predicted using the equation. The results fit well with the experimental data. The equation has significance in predicting the adsorption capacity for any component of natural gas. Charge-discharge tests were conducted 10 times, the result indicates that natural gas has significantly worse reversibility in adsorption and desorption in the adsorbent than that of CH₄. The contents of the components after 10 charge-discharge show that the adsorption capacity drop of natural gas is due to the irreversible adsorption of heavy or polar components like C₃H₈, H₂S.     

Adsorption of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-containing gas mixtures over amine-bearing pore-expanded MCM-41 silica: application for CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> separation

Adsorption of CO₂, N₂, CH₄ and H₂ on triamine-grafted pore-expanded MCM-41 mesoporous silica (TRI-PE-MCM-41) was investigated at room temperature in a wide range of pressure (up to 25 bar) using gravimetric measurements. The material was found to exhibit high affinity toward CO₂ in comparison to the other species over the whole range of pressure. Column-breakthrough dynamic measurements of CO₂-containing mixtures showed very high selectivity toward CO₂ over N₂, CH₄ and H₂ at CO₂ concentrations within the range of 5 to 50%. These conditions are suitable for effective removal of CO₂ at room temperature from syngas, flue gas and biogas using temperature swing (TS) or temperature-pressure swing (TPS) regeneration mode. Moreover, TRI-PE-MCM-41 was found to be highly stable over hundreds of adsorption-desorption cycles using TPS as regeneration mode.     

Dynamic Entangled Porous Framework for Hydrocarbon (C2–C3) Storage,CO2 Capture,and Separation

Storage and separation of small (C1–C3) hydrocarbons are of great significance as these are alternative energy resources and also can be used as raw materials for many industrially important materials. Selective capture of greenhouse gas, CO₂ from CH₄ is important to improve the quality of natural gas. Among the available porous materials, MOFs with permanent porosity are the most suitable to serve these purposes. Herein, a two‐fold entangled dynamic framework {[Zn₂(bdc)₂(bpNDI)]?4DMF}_n with pore surface carved with polar functional groups and aromatic π clouds is exploited for selective capture of CO₂, C2, and C3 hydrocarbons at ambient condition. The framework shows stepwise CO₂ and C₂H₂ uptake at 195 K but type I profiles are observed at 298 K. The IAST selectivity of CO₂ over CH₄ is the highest (598 at 298 K) among the MOFs without open metal sites reported till date. It also shows high selectivity for C₂H₂, C₂H₄, C₂H₆, and C₃H₈ over CH₄ at 298 K. DFT calculations reveal that aromatic π surface and the polar imide (RNC=O) functional groups are the primary adsorption sites for adsorption. Furthermore, breakthrough column experiments showed CO₂/CH₄ C₂H₆/CH₄ and CO₂/N₂ separation capability at ambient condition.     

Tests of a “free-volume” model of gas permeation through polymer membranes. I. Pure CO2, CH4, C2H4, and C3H8 in polyethylene

Permeability coefficients have been measured for CO₂, CH₄, C₂H₄, and C₃H₈ in polyethylene membranes at temperatures of 5, 20, and 35°C and at applied gas pressures of up to 30 atm. The temperature and pressure dependence of the permeability coefficients was represented satisfactorily by an extension of Fujita's free-volume model of diffusion of small molecules in polymers. The results of the present steady-state permeability measurements provide further support for the conclusion reached from previous unsteady-state diffusivity measurements that Fujita's model is applicable to the transport of small molecules, such as CO₂, CH₄, C₂H₄, and C₃H₈, in polyethylene. It was previously thought that this model is applicable only to the transport of larger molecules, such as of organic vapors, in polymers.     

Influence of Helium on the Conversion of Methane and Carbon dioxide in a Dielectric Barrier Discharge

We have studied the production of synthesis gas and other hydrocarbons in a dielectric barrier discharge using mixtures of helium, methane and carbon dioxide. It was found that helium has a significant influence on the discharge, decreasing the breakdown voltage and increasing the rate of conversion of CH₄ and CO₂. However it also decreases the selectivities and the range of stable operating conditions for the discharge. The main products obtained were H₂, CO, C₂H₆ and C₃H₈ but traces of other hydrocarbon, carbon deposition and the formation of condensable products were also detected. The rate of conversion and conversion abilities were obtained by fitting the conversion results to a model.     

Preparation and characterization of a composite PDMS membrane on CA support

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is the most commonly used membrane material for the separation of condensable vapors from lighter gases. In this study, a composite PDMS membrane was prepared and its gas permeation properties were investigated at various upstream pressures. A microporous cellulose acetate (CA) support was initially prepared and characterized. Then, PDMS solution, containing crosslinker and catalyst, was cast over the support. Sorption and permeation of C₃H₈, CO₂, CH₄, and H₂ in the prepared composite membrane were measured. Using sorption and permeation data of gases, diffusion coefficients were calculated based on solution‐diffusion mechanism. Similar to other rubbery membranes, the prepared PDMS membrane advantageously exhibited less resistance to permeation of heavier gases, such as C₃H₈, compared to the lighter ones, such as CO₂, CH₄, and H₂. This result was attributed to the very high solubility of larger gas molecules in the hydrocarbon‐based PDMS membrane in spite of their lower diffusion coefficients relative to smaller molecules. Increasing feed pressure increased permeability, solubility, and diffusion coefficients of the heavier gases while decreased those of the lighter ones. At constant temperature (25°C), empirical linear relations were proposed for permeability, solubility, and diffusion coefficients as a function of transmembrane pressure. C₃H₈/gas solubility, diffusivity, and overall selectivities were found to increase with increasing feed pressure. Ideal selectivity values of 9, 30, and 82 for C₃H₈ over CO₂, CH₄, and H₂, respectively, at an upstream pressure of 8 atm, confirmed the outstanding separation performance of the prepared membrane. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Application of non-thermal atmospheric pressure ac plasmas to the carbon dioxide reforming of methane

Methane conversions of 11.9%, yields of hydrogen as high as 23.3% and energy yields of 1.0 mol H₂/kWh have been achieved from CO₂ reforming of CH₄ in non-thermal, atmospheric pressure plasma reactors with Pt coated electrodes. Two reactors have been studied. A novel fan type reactor consisting of a movable rotor and immobile stator produced the highest yields in contrast to a tube type (silent discharge) reactor with a glass dielectric barrier. Conversions, yields of hydrogen and energy yields (expressed as mol H₂/kWh) were studied for CO₂/CH₄ concentrations of 1.1% and 5.0% in He as a function of flow rate and input voltage. Hydrogen yields are observed to increase as the input voltage is increased from 411 V to 911 V and the flow rate is decreased from 100 cc/min to 30 cc/min. Energy yields vary only slightly with input voltage and flow rate. Hydrogen yields show little dependence on CO₂/CH₄ concentrations, but energy yields are approximately five times greater for the 5.0% mixture than the 1.1% mixture. Selectivities to H₂, CO, coke, and low molecular weight hydrocarbons were also evaluated and compared to data obtained without CO₂ in the feed. Hydrogen selectivities of nearly 100% were obtained, with small amounts of ethane and propane as the only observed side products and the selectivites were approximately the same whether CO₂ was present or absent in the mixture. However, the reaction proceeds much more cleanly when CO₂ is present, producing CO. The syngas product has an H₂ : CO ratio of 1.5 with the fan type reactor and 0.67 with the tubular reactor. In the absence of CO₂, coke is the main carbonaceous product. Under all conditions studied the fan type reactor demonstrated higher methane conversions (up to 11.9%) and selectivities to hydrogen.     

CO2预处理操作条件对Ni-Co双金属催化剂性能与结构的影响

与传统H₂预处理方法相比,新型H₂+CO₂预处理方法（HCD）能显著提升Ni-Co双金属催化剂的沼气重整活性及抗积碳性能. 考察了HCD预处理操作条件对催化剂性能与结构的影响. 较好的HCD预处理操作条件是在催化剂经H₂处理之后,再用175-200 mL·min^-1的原料气CH₄/CO₂（比例为0：10）在780-800 ℃下还原0.5-1h. 在优化预处理操作条件下对催化剂进行了511 h的耐久性考察,并运用X射线衍射（XRD）、热重-差示扫描量热（TG-DSC）、透射电子显微镜（TEM）等手段对耐久性测试后的催化剂进行了表征. 在511 h 的稳定性实验内,CH₄、CO₂转化率,H₂、CO选择性及H₂/CO体积比分别高达96%、97%,98%、99%及0.98. 催化剂在测试期间的平均积碳速率仅为0.2 mg·g^-1·h^-1. 在该预处理操作参数下,催化剂拥有最好的综合性能和良好的耐久性.     

High-Efficient Conversion of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> in AC-Pulsed Tornado Gliding Arc Plasma

An AC-pulsed tornado gliding arc plasma was employed for CO₂ conversion via CO₂ decomposition and dry reforming reactions. A stable and high-efficient constant arc length discharge mode was obtained in this plasma reactor. And then, CO₂ conversion was studied under this discharge mode. In the case of CH₄/CO₂ = 0, CO₂ was converted to CO and O₂ via the CO₂ decomposition reaction. Energy efficiency of 29 % was attained at CO₂ conversion of 6 %. With strong reducing agent CH₄ added into CO₂, the main contributor of CO₂ conversion changed from CO₂ decomposition to dry reforming of CH₄. Conversions of CH₄ and CO₂, energy efficiency and energy cost changed sharply at CO₂/CH₄ ratios lower than 1/4, while they changed slowly at CH₄/CO₂ ratios above 1/4. In the case of CH₄/CO₂ = 2/3, energy efficiency of 68 % and syngas energy cost of 1.6 eV/mole were achieved at CH₄ conversion of 29 % and CO₂ conversion of 22 %.     

Gram-Scale Synthesis of an Ultrastable Microporous Metal-Organic Framework for Efficient Adsorptive Separation of C2H2/CO2 and C2H2/CH4

A highly water and thermally stable metal-organic framework (MOF) Zn₂(Pydc)(Ata)₂ (1, H₂Pydc = 3,5-pyridinedicarboxylic acid; HAta = 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole) was synthesized on a large scale using inexpensive commercially available ligands for efficient separation of C₂H₂ from CH₄ and CO₂. Compound 1 could take up 47.2 mL/g of C₂H₂ under ambient conditions but only 33.0 mL/g of CO₂ and 19.1 mL/g of CH₄. The calculated ideal absorbed solution theory (IAST) selectivities for equimolar C₂H₂/CO₂ and C₂H₂/CH₄ were 5.1 and 21.5, respectively, comparable to those many popular MOFs. The Q_st values for C₂H₂, CO₂, and CH₄ at a near-zero loading in 1 were 43.1, 32.1, and 22.5 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. The practical separation performance for C₂H₂/CO₂ mixtures was further confirmed by column breakthrough experiments.     

From CH4 reforming with CO2 to pyrolysis over a platinum catalyst

At temperatures up to 1100°C, CH₄ and CO₂ react over a Pt wire to give mainly the reforming product CO, even at a CH₄/CO₂ ratio of 4.3. But if coke is present on the wire, the dominant reaction becomes the pyrolysis of CH₄ to form mainly C₂H₂ and C₆H₆. Thus, surface carbon poisons the reforming reaction and is autocatalytic for CH₄ pyrolysis. Higher temperatures and larger CH₄/O₂ ratios favor the formation of coke and the pyrolysis reaction. Molecular oxygen and, to a lesser extent, water have the opposite effect.     

H2S‐Mediated Thermal and Photochemical Methane Activation

Sustainable, low‐temperature methods for natural gas activation are critical in addressing current and foreseeable energy and hydrocarbon feedstock needs. Large portions of natural gas resources are still too expensive to process due to their high content of hydrogen sulfide gas (H₂S) mixed with methane, deemed altogether as sub‐quality or “sour” gas. We propose a unique method of activation to form a mixture of sulfur‐containing hydrocarbon intermediates, CH₃SH and CH₃SCH₃, and an energy carrier such as H₂. For this purpose, we investigated the H₂S‐mediated methane activation to form a reactive CH₃SH species by means of direct photolysis of sub‐quality natural gas. Photoexcitation of hydrogen sulfide in the CH₄+H₂S complex resulted in a barrierless relaxation by a conical intersection to form a ground‐state CH₃SH+H₂ complex. The resulting CH₃SH could further be coupled over acidic catalysts to form higher hydrocarbons, and the resulting H₂ used as a fuel. This process is very different from conventional thermal or radical‐based processes and can be driven photolytically at low temperatures, with enhanced control over the conditions currently used in industrial oxidative natural gas activation. Finally, the proposed process is CO₂ neutral, as opposed to the current industrial steam methane reforming (SMR).     

Adsorption equilibria of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and CH<Subscript>4</Subscript> in cation-exchanged zeolites 13X

Ion-exchange with different cations (Na⁺, NH₄ ⁺, Li⁺, Ba²⁺ and Fe³⁺) was performed in binderless 13X zeolite pellets. Original and cation-exchanged samples were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis coupled with mass spectrometry (inert atmosphere), X-ray powder diffraction and N₂ adsorption/desorption isotherms at 77 K. Despite the presence of other cations than Na (as revealed in TG-MS), crystalline structure and textural properties were not significantly altered upon ion-exchange. Single component equilibrium adsorption isotherms of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄) were measured for all samples up to 10 bar at 298 and 348 K using a magnetic suspension balance. All of these isotherms are type Ia and maximum adsorption capacities decrease in the order Li > Na > NH₄–Ba > Fe for CO₂ and NH₄–Na > Li > Ba for CH₄. In addition to that, equilibrium adsorption data were measured for CO₂/CH₄ mixtures for representative compositions of biogas (50 % each gas, in vol.) and natural gas (30 %/70 %, in vol.) in order to assess CO₂ selectivity in such scenarios. The application of the Extended Sips Model for samples BaX and NaX led to an overall better agreement with experimental data of binary gas adsorption as compared to the Extended Langmuir Model. Fresh sample LiX show promise to be a better adsorption than NaX for pressure swing separation (CO₂/CH₄), due to its higher working capacity, selectivity and lower adsorption enthalpy. Nevertheless, cation stability for both this samples and NH₄X should be further investigated.     

Natural gas permeation in polyimide membranes

Polyimide membranes derived from 6FDA-DAM:DABA and 6FDA-6FpDA:DABA copolymers have been used to separate 50/50 CO₂/CH₄ mixtures and multicomponent synthetic natural gas mixtures at 35 °C and feed pressures up to 55 atm. For 6FDA-DAM:DABA 2:1 membranes the effects of thermal annealing and covalent crosslinking are decoupled with respect to effects on permeabilities and selectivity. Crosslinking at 295 °C with 1,4-butylene glycol and 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol increases CO₂ permeabilities by factors of 4.1 and 2.4, respectively, at 20 atm feed pressure, without a loss in selectivity, relative to crosslinking at 220 °C. Thermal annealing and crosslinking also reduce CO₂ plasticization effects. Crosslinking of DABA-containing copolymers, therefore, can produce membranes with tunable transport properties that offer significantly higher performance with better plasticization-resistance than that reported in the literature for the commercial polymers Matrimid^® and cellulose acetate for CO₂ removal from natural gas mixtures. Separation of complex mixtures containing CO₂, CH₄, C₂H₆, C₃H₈, and C₄H₁₀ or toluene results in a significant decrease of the CO₂ permeability, but only a moderate decrease in the CO₂/CH₄ selectivity.     

Tuning the Adsorption Selectivity of ZIF-8 by Amorphization

Amorphous metal–organic frameworks (a_mMOFs) with a partially collapsed structure are a new category of porous hybrid materials. Here, solid-state amorphization of ZIF-8 was achieved by mechanical compression at 0.75 GPa. The compression-induced amorphous ZIF-8 (a_mZIF-8) had a collapsed structure, but retained partial porosity. Benefiting from the deformed channel, the resultant a_mZIF-8 exhibited preferable adsorption of C₃H₆, resulting in higher thermodynamic adsorption selectivity of C₃H₆/C₃H₈ (6.72) than the crystalline counterparts (1.06). Further, a_mZIF-8 achieved complete separation of an equimolar C₃H₆/C₃H₈ mixture with the first breakthrough of C₃H₈. a_mZIF-8 also displayed an enhancement in CO₂/N₂ and CO₂/CH₄ adsorption selectivities. More importantly, a self-standing a_mZIF-8 membrane with boundary-free microstructure was constructed for the first time, and exhibited separation potential for H₂/CH₄, CO₂/N₂, CO₂/CH₄, and C₃H₆/C₃H₈ with ideal selectivities of 14.79, 12.83, 16.23, and 2.67, respectively.