Monolith Multilayer Catalytic Membrane for Direct Conversion of CO₂- Rich Natural Gas into Syngas and Energy

Abstract:

The increasing demand for energy and the environmental challenges posed by CO₂ emissions necessitate the development of innovative solutions for utilizing natural gas reservoirs with high CO₂ content. In Southeast Asia, over 13 trillion cubic feet of natural gas remain undeveloped due to their high CO₂ content, reaching up to 87%. Current CO₂ separation technologies, though effective in removing CO₂, are energy-intensive and economically unfeasible. In the present work, monolith multilayer catalytic membrane is utilized to directly converting CO₂-rich natural gas permeate streams into syngas and co-generated energy. The membrane consists of a gas conversion, ion-selective and ion-conducting layers to optimize syngas production and improve energy efficiency. Experimental results show that increasing the operating temperature from 600°C to 800°C significantly enhances the conversion of methane (CH₄) and CO₂, yielding higher amounts of CO and H₂, with improved CO selectivity. Additionally, electrochemical performance evaluations demonstrate relatively higher current densities and power outputs at elevated temperatures. These findings underscore the multilayer catalytic membrane's potential to provide an economically viable and environmentally sustainable solution for converting CO₂-rich natural gas into valuable products, while also reducing CO₂ emissions. The membrane offers a promising route for syngas and energy production, contributing to the development of more efficient, low-emission energy technologies.

• Periodical: Defect and Diffusion Forum (Volume 449)
• Pages: 151-156
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-b0Us7K
• Online since: March 2026
• Authors: Norwahyu Jusoh*, Amir Hafizi Md Nor, Alia Syuhada Abd Rahman, Yin Fong Yeong
• Keywords: CO₂ Utilization, CO₂-Rich Natural Gas, Methane Reforming, Multilayer Catalytic Membrane, Syngas Production

References

[1] O.Araujo, A.C. Reis, J.L. Medeiros, Comparative analysis of separation technologies for processing carbon dioxide rich natural gas in ultra-deepwater oil fields, J. Clean. Prod.155 (2017)12 -22

DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.06.073

[2] N. Yan, J. Pandey, Y. Zeng, B. S. Amirkhiz, B. Hua, Developing a thermal-and coking-resistant cobalt–tungsten bimetallic anode catalyst for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells, ACS Catal., 6 (2016) 5022-5030.

DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.6b01197

[3] A. Androulakis, I. Yentekakis, P. Panagiotopoulou, Dry reforming of methane over supported Rh and Ru catalysts: Effect of the support (Al2O3, TiO2, ZrO2, YSZ) on the activity and reaction pathway, Int. J. Hydrog. Energy, 48 (2023) 33886.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2023.03.114

[4] Y. Jiang, F. Li, B. Ma, Z. Gao, Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Fed with Heavy-Duty Diesel Fuels: Advances, Challenges, and Perspectives in Power Generation, Renew. 3 (2025) 267-305.

DOI: 10.31635/renewables.025.202500095

[5] A. Serrano-Lotina, L. Daza, Influence of the operating parameters over dry reforming of methane to syngas, Int. J. Hydrog. Energy, 39 (2014) 4089-4094.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2013.05.135

[6] T. Dang-Long, T. Quang-Tuyen, Y. Shiratori, Catalytic and electrochemical behaviour of solid oxide fuel cell operated with simulated-biogas mixtures, AIP Conf. Proc. 1 (2016) 060012.

DOI: 10.1063/1.4949319

[7] T. Li, M. F. Rabuni, L. Kleiminger, B. Wang, G. H. Kelsall, U. W. Hartley, K. Li, A highly-robust solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC): simultaneous greenhouse gas treatment and clean energy generation, Energy Environ. Sci. 9 (2016) 3682-3686.

DOI: 10.1039/c6ee02562e