Solar thermal methane reforming

Abstract

The high-temperature heat produced through concentrated solar irradiation facilities can be exploited to cover partially or totally the enthalpy needs of endothermal reactions of significant industrial importance and scale like methane reforming. This so-called solar thermal methane reforming can serve as a “bridge technology” based initially on fossil fuels with a lower environmental impact, in the transition towards a fully renewable energy/fuels-based economy. This work presents the current development of solar thermal-aided methane reforming, including concepts and endeavors that have recently emerged such as new, allothermally heated reformers and hybrid redox looping schemes. The focus is on the concentrated solar energy-relevant aspects of the specific technology, i.e. on reactor and heat exchanger concepts employed to couple it effectively to the thermochemistry requirements of the various methane reforming process schemes. Areas where future work on this topic should be focused on in conjunction with current and future societal/environmental requirements are proposed and barriers that can possibly hinder such commercialization efforts are identified.