Ru/Ni-Mg-O catalyzed SiC-foam absorber for solar reforming receiver-reactor

High-temperature solar reforming of methane with C[O.sub.2] is investigated using a directly solar-irradiated absorber subjected to a solar mean flux level above 400 kW [m.sup.-2] (the peak flux of about 700 kW [m.sup.-2]). The new type of catalytically activated ceramic foam absorber--a Ru/Ni-Mg-O catalyzed SiC-foam absorber--was prepared, and its activity was tested in a laboratory-scale volumetric receiver-reactor with a transparent (quartz) window by using a sun-simulator Compared to conventional Rh/[Al.sub.2][O.sub.3] catalyzed SiC-foam absorber, this new catalytic absorber is more cost effective and is found to exhibit a superior reaction performance at the high solar flux or at high temperatures, especially above 950[degrees]C. This new absorber will be applied in solar receiver-reactor systems for converting concentrated high solar fluxes to chemical fuels via endothermic natural-gas reforming at high temperatures. [DOI: 10.1115/1.2210497] Keywords: solar hydrogen, solar heat, natural gas reforming, volumetric receiver, reforming catalyst