Solar CO2-Reforming of Methane Using a Double-Layer Absorber

더블 레이어 흡수기를 이용한 고온 태양열 메탄-이산화탄소 개질반응

Solar reforming of methane with CO2 was successfully tested with a direct irradiated absorber on a parabolic dish capable of 5kWth solar power. And the new type of double-layer absorber - the front layer, porous metal foam which absorbs the radiation and transfers the heat from material to gas, and the back layer, catalytically-activated metal foam - was prepared, and its activity was tested by using electric furnace. Ni was applied as the active metal on the gamma-Al2O3 coated Ni metal foam for the preparation of the catalytically-activated metal foam layer. Compared to conventional direct irradiation of the catalytically activated metal foam absorber, this new type of double layer absorber is found to exhibit a superior reaction and thermal storage performance at the fluctuating incident solar radiation. In addition, unlike direct irradiation of the foam absorber, double layer absorber has better thermal resistance, which prevents the emergence of cracks caused by mechanical or thermal shock. The total solar power absorbed reached up to 3.25kW and the maximum CH4 conversion was almost 59%.