Steam reforming of methane: state of the art and novel technologies

Abstract

Steam methane reforming is one of the most promising technologies for sustainable hydrogen production, encompassing various approaches such as oxidative SMR, sorbent-enhanced SMR, membrane reactors, photocatalytic SMR, chemical looping, thermo-photo hybrid SMR, solid oxide fuel cells, plasma SMR, and electro-catalytic SMR. Although numerous reviews have been published on the catalysts developed for SMR, this field is advancing rapidly, prompting this review to focus on recent developments in new promoters, supports, and structural improvements for SMR catalysts. These advancements aim to reduce carbon deposition and sintering while enhancing catalyst activity and stability. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of recent research focusing on improving SMR processes using various catalyst types and operating conditions, as well as examining emerging SMR technologies. Additionally, key challenges related to SMR catalysts are discussed, along with recent progress in conventional SMR using Ni-based, transition metal , and noble metal catalysts, and advancements in SMR processes. Recent literature has highlighted the utility of supported bi-metallic catalysts and advanced SMR technologies like chemical looping, soption enhancment, and membrane reactors in commercialising SMR technologies.