The use of solar-based CO2/CH4 reforming for reducing greenhouse gas emissions during the generation of electricity and process heat

Abstract CSIRO/Pacific Power research on using the reversible CO 2 /CH 4 reforming reaction for solar energy storage and transport is described. Catalysts have been developed and used to conduct the forward and reverse reactions in fluidised-bed reactors under practical conditions without carbon formation. Thermochemical energy storage rates up to 30 MW th /tonne of catalyst were obtained. Closed and open loop thermochemical heat-pipes based on CO 2 /CH 4 reforming have a range of applications in Australia. They have considerable potential in reducing the emissions of Greenhouse gases associated with the production of electricity and process heat. Results of a techno-economic evaluation of selected concepts are presented. Concepts for linking solar energy to the reformer have been identified and future work must focus on reactor scale-up and linking the reformer with solar energy.