Ceramic Counterflow Reactor for Efficient Conversion of CO2 to Carbon-Rich Syngas

CO2 is a suitable feedstock for syngas production. Possible co‐reactants to convert CO2 are hydrogen or methane. Hydrogen can be produced from electrolysis of water with renewable energy, whereby pure oxygen is obtained. Consequently, a simultaneous partial combustion of the energy‐rich co‐reactants (H2 or CH4) with oxygen is possible to compensate for the required heat of reaction and to achieve high temperatures. This is crucial for both, high CO2 conversion and the prevention of harmful coke formation. For this application a new, scalable reactor concept is proposed. A proof of concept is presented both experimentally and model‐based. The model predicts high CO2 conversion and syngas production in industrial scale while maintaining defined temperature limits so that coke formation is avoided. The conversion of CO2 with H2 or CH4 is a promising route to produce carbon‐rich syngas. Both reactions are coupled with simultaneous oxidation to enable an autothermal operation. In the new multitubular, ceramic reactor concept constant temperatures above 1000 °C are easily obtained through depicted oxygen injection and efficient heat‐recovery.