NiO/CaO‐Catalyzed Formation of Syngas by Coupled Exothermic Oxidative Conversion and Endothermic CO2 and Steam Reforming of Methane

An energy efficient and safe conversion of methane to syngas is possible by carrying out the exothermic oxidation of methane and the endothermic reaction of methane with steam and CO2 simultaneously with the same NiO/CaO catalyst. By coupling the two reactions and manipulating the relative concentrations of CH4, O2, CO2, and steam in the feed, the overall methane‐to‐syngas conversion can be made mildly exothermic, thermoneutral, or mildly endothermic. The H2/CO ratio of the product can be varied from roughly 1.5 to 2.5.