Dry reforming (DR) processes consist of a reaction between an adequate
feedstock and carbon dioxide to produce syngas. In the case of a renewable feedstock
(biogas, bioalcohols, wood tar,…), the DR processes become very interesting since
they consume greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4,…) and produce hydrogen and syngas
mixtures that can be considered as renewable alternatives to fossil fuels. The DR
processes involve endothermic reactions accompanied by side reactions that decrease
the overall process efficiency. The use of a catalytic material is expected to reduce the
energy required for the process and to favor the selectivity towards syngas production.
Thus, in the last decades, many studies considered the synthesis of catalytic materials
that are active, selective and stable in DR reactions. This chapter considers the recent
advances in the catalytic DR of methane, alcohols and biomass tar. The most recent
catalytic materials are discussed in terms of their preparation, physico-chemical
characteristics, and intrinsic properties that serve the purpose of the DR reactions. A
special attention is paid to the carbon deposition problem and the different strategies
that are adopted to minimize it. A final part of the chapter discusses the most recent
developments in plasma, microwaves, solar energy and electrical current technologies
for dry reforming reactions. Some examples of the developed reactor technologies are
also presented including chemical looping reforming, membrane reactors and ceramic
counter flow reactor.
Keywords: Alcohols, Biomass Tar, Carbon Deposition, Carbon Dioxide,
Catalyst, Dry Reforming, Hydrogen, Methane, Reactor Technologies, Syngas.
