• Energy Research

The current study reviews the recent development in the direct conversion of methane into syngas, methanol, light olefins, and aromatic compounds. For syngas production, nickel‐based catalysts are considered as a good choice. Methane conversion (84%) is achieved with nearly no coke formation when the 7% Ni‐1%Au/Al2O3 catalyst is used in the steam reforming of methane (SRM), whereas for dry reforming of methane (DRM), a methane conversion of 17.9% and CO2 conversion of 23.1% are found for 10%Ni/ZrOx MnOx/SiO2 operated at 500 °C. The progress of direct conversion of methane to methanol is also summarized with an insight into its selectivity and/or conversion, which shows that in liquid‐phase heterogeneous systems, high selectivity (>80%) can be achieved at 50 °C, but the conversion is low. The latest development of non‐oxidative coupling of methane (NOCM) and oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) for the production of olefins is also reviewed. The Mn2O3–TiO2–Na2WO4/SiO2 catalyst is reported to show the high C2 yield (22%) and a high selectivity toward C2 (62%) during the OCM at 650 °C. For NOCM, 98% selectivity of ethane can be achieved when a tantalum hydride catalyst supported on silica is used. In addition, the Mo‐based catalysts are the most suitable for the preparation of aromatic compounds from methane.

The current study reviews the recent development in the direct conversion of methane into syngas, methanol, light olefins, and aromatic compounds. For syngas production, nickel‐based catalysts are considered as a good choice. Methane conversion (84%) is achieved with nearly no coke formation when the 7% Ni‐1%Au/Al2O3 catalyst is used in the steam reforming of methane (SRM), whereas for dry reforming of methane (DRM), a methane conversion of 17.9% and CO2 conversion of 23.1% are found for 10%Ni/ZrOx MnOx/SiO2 operated at 500 °C. The progress of direct conversion of methane to methanol is also summarized with an insight into its selectivity and/or conversion, which shows that in liquid‐phase heterogeneous systems, high selectivity (>80%) can be achieved at 50 °C, but the conversion is low. The latest development of non‐oxidative coupling of methane (NOCM) and oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) for the production of olefins is also reviewed. The Mn2O3–TiO2–Na2WO4/SiO2 catalyst is reported to show the high C2 yield (22%) and a high selectivity toward C2 (62%) during the OCM at 650 °C. For NOCM, 98% selectivity of ethane can be achieved when a tantalum hydride catalyst supported on silica is used. In addition, the Mo‐based catalysts are the most suitable for the preparation of aromatic compounds from methane.

The importance of biomass in the emerging low carbon economy remains quite crucial especially relating to the co-firing of coal and biomass due to the improvements in thermal properties and its influence on reactivity, burnout and flame stability. In this research, the combustion profile of coal and biomass blends, coal and low temperature biomass ash blends and coal and demineralized biomass blends were studied using thermogravimetric analysis. The results established the presence of both mechanism of synergy in the fuel blends during co-firing. This was substantiated by significant decrease in peak, burnout temperature as well as reduction in activation energy, demonstrating non-additive interaction between the biomass and coal sample. Further deductions reveal a degree of overlap in the function of catalytic and non-catalytic synergy mechanisms in the biomass blends due to competitive reactions among the catalyzing AAEMs and the hydrogen contributing organic constituents of biomass with coal. Finally, this study further establishes a higher degree of catalytic synergy in potassium rich oat straw in comparison to calcium rich gumwood. © 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/) Peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of ICAE2018 - The 10th International Conference on Applied Energy.

The importance of biomass in the emerging low carbon economy remains quite crucial especially relating to the co-firing of coal and biomass due to the improvements in thermal properties and its influence on reactivity, burnout and flame stability. In this research, the combustion profile of coal and biomass blends, coal and low temperature biomass ash blends and coal and demineralized biomass blends were studied using thermogravimetric analysis. The results established the presence of both mechanism of synergy in the fuel blends during co-firing. This was substantiated by significant decrease in peak, burnout temperature as well as reduction in activation energy, demonstrating non-additive interaction between the biomass and coal sample. Further deductions reveal a degree of overlap in the function of catalytic and non-catalytic synergy mechanisms in the biomass blends due to competitive reactions among the catalyzing AAEMs and the hydrogen contributing organic constituents of biomass with coal. Finally, this study further establishes a higher degree of catalytic synergy in potassium rich oat straw in comparison to calcium rich gumwood. © 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/) Peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of ICAE2018 - The 10th International Conference on Applied Energy.