A micro-sphere catalyst complex with nano CaCO3 precursor for hydrogen production used in ReSER process

This paper describes the preparation and evaluation of a micro-sphere catalytic complex for the hydrogen production in a Reactive Sorption Enhanced Reforming (ReSER) process. The catalytic complex made by a spray technique has a dual function containing Ni as a catalytic material and CaO as an adsorption material used in the ReSER process. The attrition characteristics of the catalytic complex are acceptable for the commercial used. The nano CaCO3 material used as a precursor of CaO showed a desirable durability with a CO2 sorption capacity of 0.6 mol CO2/kg after 10 repeating cycles under the carbonation temperature of 600 ℃, a CO2 partial pressure of 0.02 MPa, and a calcination temperature of 750 ℃ in N2 measured by a thermal gravimetric analyzer. The testing of the catalytic complex for ReSER showed a hydrogen yield of over 95 % (v/v) in the laboratory fixed fluidized bed reactor. The catalytic system has an attractive prospect in the ReSER process for hydrogen production, especially in the fluidized mode where reactor and regenerator combined in a cycling process.