Investigation of the Performance and Stability of Ni-Co/Al2O3-ZrO2 Nanocatalysts with Micro Channel Reactor in Dry Reforming of Methane

In this study, the catalytic performance of thin layers of Ni-Co/Al2O3-ZrO2 was explored using the dry reforming of methane (DRM) in a microchannel reactor. Physical vapor deposition (PVD) was used for preparing the nanostructures. To this end, first, thin layers of Al2O3-ZrO2 were sputtered on stainless steel plates to form catalyst supports. Then, the combination of Co and Ni were coated on the catalytic support during different deposition times (2, 3, and 4 min) with Co/Ni weight percentages of 2.5%, 5%, and 7.5%. Box-Behnken design was used for the reactor tests, which were performed under certain conditions (i.e., temperature: 700, 750, and 800 ˚C; pressure: 1 atm; and feed flow rate: 10 ml/min) to assess the impact of various parameters (including deposition time, Co/Ni weight percentage, and reaction temperature) on catalytic activity and stability. The results showed that the highest level of activity and stability was registered at the deposition time of 4 min, the Co/Ni weight percentage of 5%, and the reaction temperature of 800 ˚C.