Enhancing CO2 gasification-reforming of municipal solid waste with Ni/CeO2 and Ni/ZrO2 catalysts

Abstract

The global energy crisis and environmental sustainability challenges are exacerbated by the rapid increase in population and industrialization, necessitating effective management of municipal solid waste. The CO₂ gasification-reforming of municipal solid waste with Ni/CeO₂ and Ni/ZrO₂ catalysts was conducted in a two-stage fixed-bed reactor. A significant increase in gas production from various waste samples (cabbage, poplar leaves, printed paper, PET, and HDPE) was observed, with the 5% Ni/CeO₂ demonstrating higher efficiency than the 5% Ni/ZrO₂ catalyst. The structural characterization of the catalysts revealed that Ni was more uniformly dispersed on the CeO₂ support compared to ZrO₂, resulting in enhanced activity of the 5% Ni/CeO₂ catalysts. Further exploration into the optimal nickel loading and the ideal reforming temperature was conducted to maximize the efficiency of the CO₂ gasification-reforming. The application of 5% Ni/CeO₂ catalysts in the CO₂ gasification-reforming of simulated municipal solid waste notably increased CO and total gas yields by 223% and 106%, respectively. This advancement holds promise for new technical approaches in resource utilization and the environmentally friendly processing of municipal solid waste.