A Process Integration Approach to the Assessment of CO2 Fixation through Dry Reforming

Recently, significant research has been dedicated to the field of mitigating CO 2 emissions. Chemical sequestration (fixation) of CO 2 into value-added products (e.g., methanol, Fischer–Tropsch liquids, propylene) is an emerging option. The fixation of CO 2 via the dry reforming (DR) of natural gas involves the conversion of two greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide and methane) into a useful intermediate (synthesis gas). Synthesis gas can be subsequently converted into various chemicals and fuels. Nevertheless, syngas produced from DR is typically characterized by a H 2:CO ratio lower than that typically required for conversion into high-value hydrocarbons. In addition, DR catalysts continuously deactivate as a result of extensive coke formation. This paper focuses on quantifying the potential for CO 2 fixation using dry reforming and the integration of different reforming technologies. The results highlight the strong inverse relationship between CO 2 chemical fixation and the required syngas H 2:CO ratio. Combined reforming involving DR and steam reforming greatly benefits from the presence of waste heat sources because heat generation is the major source of CO 2 generation. A process case study is presented to illustrate the importance of a process viewpoint with respect to DR.