Download Low-Temperature Methane Steam Reformation

IPTT • Qatar Foundation’s Office of Intellectual Property & Technology Transfer
Low-Temperature Methane Steam Reformation
Nickel nanocatalyst-based process lowers temperature and water
requirements, and improves hydrogen production
LICENSING & PARTNERING OPPORTUNITY
Technology Benefits
The key factor for process effectiveness in various gas-based
petrochemical industries is the complete conversion of natural gas
into hydrogen (H2), carbon monoxide (CO), and carbon dioxide (CO2).
Current catalysts require high operating temperature (900°C) and
excessive amounts of pure water to maintain their activity. Researchers
at Qatar University have developed a novel nickel (Ni)-based
nanocatalyst for methane steam reformation (MSR).
The catalyst is synthesized via a single-step combustion process, which
exhibits superior performance at lower temperatures and requires
less water. The process requires less energy than current reformation
methods. It is also more cost effective and yields higher levels of
hydrogen, providing benefits to any industry requiring hydrogen
production.
uu Renewable: The produced H2 can
be used for renewable electric power
generation in fuel cells or gas turbines.
uu Flexible: The catalyst can be employed
in MSR and also in the reformation of
other hydrocarbons.
uu Energy-efficient: The catalyst
demonstrates superb activity at low
operating temperatures, which may
decrease thermal energy requirements.
uu Cost-efficient: The single-step
combustion process can be employed
for large-scale production of the catalyst,
making it very cost effective.
uu Streamlined: Efficient operation at
lower temperatures results in reduced
equipment maintenance requirements.
www.qfrd.org
About the Technology
HOW IT WORKS
Qatar University’s MSR catalyst is developed by preparing an aqueous
solution of nickel and aluminum nitrate precursors, followed by adding
appropriate amounts of glycine as a reductant. This homogeneous mixture
is heated until a self-sustained combustion is initiated, resulting in a
powdered product, which is calcined at 800°C in air. The synthesized catalyst
is employed in a fixed-bed reactor to generate hydrogen or synthesis gas
mixture via steam reformation of methane.
Applications
The novel catalyst and process has the
potential to benefit various industries with a
need for high-yield hydrogen or synthesis gas
production, in particular:
uu Fuel cells
WHY IT IS BETTER
Qatar University’s new catalyst and method solve several problems
associated with existing industrial MSR processes. First, current catalysts
require very high-temperature conditions (about 900°C) for the steam
reformation reaction of methane. By contrast, the catalyst produced by
this new process uses an optimum temperature of 650°C, resulting in
considerable energy (and cost) savings. Operation at lower temperatures
also helps to decrease the amount of equipment maintenance needed,
uu Petroleum refining
which can lower operation costs.
uu Ammonia production
Second, existing catalysts also require large amounts of purified water to
uu Methanol production
uu Fischer-Tropsch processes
maintain catalytic activity, and recovery of this water results is an energydemanding process that can increase cost and complexity. Qatar University’s
MSR process eliminates the need for excessive water reserves, thereby
simplifying the process and lowering environmental impact.
Finally, the catalyst of the present invention exhibits high activity and
stability without the need for the addition of noble metals.
Development Status
PATENT PROTECTION
A provisional patent application has been filed for this technology.
The novel catalyst developed has been
synthesized at laboratory scale and tested for a
MSR process in a bench-top fixed-bed reactor.
The process can be scaled up to the next stage
of commercialization.
Tech #: QU-2016-002
Licensing Opportunities
Qatar University is offering this technology for
license. For more information about the Novel
Catalyst for Low Temperature Methane
Steam Reformation (MSR), please contact:
[email protected]
The above illustration demonstrates the basic chemistry involved in
Qatar University’s low-temperature methane steam reformation process.
www.qfrd.org