Sustainable Production of Synthesis Gases via State of the Art Metal Supported Catalytic Systems: An Overview

Abstract

Dry reforming of methane (CH₄) with carbon dioxide (CO₂) catalysts produces synthesis gas at atmospheric pressure. Synthesis gas is important feed stock to chemical and petrochemical industries to produce chemicals such as methanol and ammonia. It is also a source of hydrogen that is potential to fuel cells. Reforming reactions have also environmental benefit as CO₂ and CH₄, which are classified as green house gases, that cause global warming, are consumed. Reforming with CO₂ is attractive method since it can be employed in areas where water is not available. Considerable efforts have been made to obtain catalysts for dry reforming to achieve both high activity and good stability. In this review, we will take an over view of the dry reforming process and concentrate on the various catalysts used in the process, in general and Ni/Al₂O₃ catalytic system in particular and report the available data in the literature and the present state of the art for this process.