Advancement in Gas Valorization Technologies

This project addresses the valorization of natural gas by upgrading it into value-added products, supporting economic diversification and maximizing the utilization of state resources. In light of the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the project focuses on converting methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) into syngas (H₂ + CO), a critical precursor for sustainable fuel synthesis. The study aims to tackle challenges such as high energy demand, catalyst deactivation due to coke formation/metal sintering, and reliance on expensive noble metals. This work employs a combined experimental and computational approach to develop cost-effective and stable catalysts and process, emphasizing nickel-supported activated carbon and hydrotalcite structures doped with catalytic promoters. Key components of the project include: 1. Catalyst synthesis and characterization to enhance stability and catalytic performance. 2. Performance evaluation of DRM (dry reforming of methane) and dual reforming using lab-scale reactors to optimize reaction conditions. 3. Mechanistic studies through atomistic simulations to gain insights into coke formation and reaction pathways. 4. Life cycle and techno-economic assessments to evaluate and compare the environmental and economic impacts of Methane reforming with conventional steam methane reforming. By integrating sustainable material development, process optimization, mechanistic understanding, and environmental considerations, this project aims to provide scalable solutions for industrial methane reforming, contributing to global CO₂ reduction efforts. Additionally, the project explores alternative gas valorization technologies, including emerging methods like non-oxidative methane coupling and ethane cracking to ethylene, to produce high-value-added products.

Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU)