Dry Reforming Catalyst for Carbon Deposition Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dry reforming catalysts suffer from a short lifespan due to catalyst surface deactivation and carbon deposition, limiting their use to less than 1,500 to 2,000 hours, with no effective technology to extend their life time beyond this limit.

Innovation Solution

A new-concept dry reforming catalyst is developed with a minimal amount of catalytically active components, dispersed on a support using an adhesive, adhering to specific reaction equilibrium conditions to minimize carbon deposition and extend life time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional dry reforming catalysts are used, then catalytic activity is maintained, but catalyst life time is limited to less than 1,500 to 2,000 hours due to surface deactivation and carbon deposition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalyst life timeVSAvoidcarbon deposition
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the harmful carbon deposition from the catalyst surface by introducing a oxygen-containing gas stream that selectively oxidizes and removes carbon deposits. This separation of the carbon removal function from the main catalytic function allows the catalyst to maintain activity without suffering from carbon buildup deactivation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary oxygen-containing gas (such as air or oxygen-enriched gas) that acts as a mediator between the carbon deposits and the catalyst surface. This intermediary gas facilitates the removal of carbon without directly contacting or damaging the catalyst structure, thereby extending catalyst life

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If catalyst composition is continuously optimized, then catalytic performance is improved, but catalyst life time remains severely limited due to structural degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalyst life timeVSAvoidcatalyst structural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by pre-introducing oxygen-containing gas during the reaction process to prevent severe carbon deposition and structural degradation before they occur. This proactive approach cushions the catalyst against the harsh conditions that would otherwise cause rapid deactivation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements continuous removal of carbon deposits through ongoing oxygen-containing gas treatment, ensuring the catalyst surface remains clean and active throughout operation. This continuous action prevents the accumulation of harmful substances that would lead to structural degradation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The catalyst can be used semi-permanently, lasting tens of thousands of hours with minimal carbon deposition, offering significant economic benefits and process simplification.

Implementation Method 1

a metal oxide catalyst dispersed on a support at a concentration of a catalytically active component, such that the metal oxide catalyst satisfies Equation 1 and Equation 2 below

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 2

a value A in Equation 2 falls within a range of values that maintain a minimum value under reaction equilibrium conditions required to sustain a catalytic reaction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical equilibrium:

Implementation Method 3

a form in which an adhesive for fixing an active component is dispersed on a support, and a metal oxide active component is attached and fixed in a dispersed manner to the adhesive

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP4628210A1Catalyst for dry reforming
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 KOREA RES INST OF CHEM TECH
  • EP4628210A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4628210A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4628210A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a dry reforming catalyst and, more specifically, to a new-concept dry reforming catalyst, which produces synthesis gas in a carbon reaction system based on a reducing gas, and is newly configured using an approach that is completely opposite to a conventional approach, thereby as to significantly inhibit carbon deposition, which is the most critical challenge in conventional dry reforming technology, thereby significantly extending the life time of the catalyst.