Rh, Ru and Pt ternary perovskites type oxides BaZr(1-x)MexO3 for methane dry reforming

In recent years dry reforming of methane has received considerable attention as a promising alternative to steam reforming for synthesis gas (H2 and CO) production, yielding a syngas with a H2/CO ratio close to 1 and thus suitable for many chemical processes. The major drawback of the process is the endothermicity of the reaction that implies the use of a suitable catalyst to work at relatively low temperatures (923–1023 K). In this work methane dry reforming over three ternary perovskite type oxides BaZr(1-x)MexO3 using Rh, Ru and Pt as metal was studied at atmospheric pressure and in a temperature range 850–1150 K. Experimental tests at different temperatures were performed in order to analyze and compare the performances of the catalysts and to carry out a detailed kinetic study. Furthermore, long duration tests were conducted to evaluate the possible deactivation of the perovskites. Rhodium-perovskite catalyst shows the highest activity for dry methane reforming while the Pt one the lowest. No deactivation of the catalysts was observed meaning that the perovskite structure is very stable and allows to minimize the carbon deposition that is the main responsible of catalyst deactivation in this process.