Carbon dioxide reforming of methane in a solar volumetric receiver/reactor: the CAESAR project

Solar reforming of methane with CO2 was successfully demonstrated with a direct absorption receiver/reactor on a parabolic dish capable of 150 kW solar power. The reactor, a volumetric absorber, consisted of a reticulated porous alumina foam disk coated with rhodium catalyst. The system was operated during both steady-state and solar transient (cloud passage) conditions. The total solar power absorbed reached values up to 97 kW and the maximum methane conversion was almost 70%. Receiver efficiencies ranged up to 85% and chemical efficiencies peaked at 54%.