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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