Kinetic modeling for methane reforming with carbon dioxide over a mixed-metal carbide catalyst

A cobalt-tungsten eta-carbide material [Co6W6C] was investigated as a precursor for a stable and active catalyst for the dry reforming of methane to produce synthesis gas. The kinetics of CH4/CO2 reforming were studied under differential conditions over a temperature range of 500-600degreesC, based on a detailed experimental design. The observed rates qualitatively follow a Langmuir-Hinshelwood type of reaction mechanism. Such a scheme is considered quantitatively, with four reactions: methane reforming, reverse water-gas shift, carbon deposition, and carbon removal by a reverse Boudouard reaction. Of these, carbon deposition and carbon removal are generally disregarded in most of the reported kinetic models. The parameters of the model were successfully estimated for all of the experimental data. The comparison plots of the observed data and the predicted model show generally a good fit for all of the product species.