Plasma-catalytic reforming of complex tar over Ni-Cu bimetallic catalysts

Plasma-catalytic tar reforming (PCTR) is a promising technique for up-utilizing tars and solving the challenges associated with tar formation during waste gasification. This study demonstrated the PCTR performances using a rotating gliding arc discharge (RGAD) coupled with Ni-Cu bimetallic catalysts to handle municipal solid waste (MSW) gasification tar with toluene or complex components. The latter, including phenanthrene, fluorene, acenaphthene, naphthalene, indene, phenol and toluene, represents typical MSW tar components. Among the evaluated catalysts, the 6Ni2Cu/honeycomb cordierite exhibited commendable performance, achieving the highest overall conversion rate of 89.3 % for the complex tar. Notably, the most substantial net increase in heating value (NIH) of the simulated gasifier gas, reached 36.0 %, highlighting its exceptional catalytic activity and tar reforming capability. Moreover, the alloy catalyst demonstrated good durability and resistance to coke formation, which enabled the stable operation of PCTR over 48 h, maintaining an overall conversion rate of over 90.3 %. With the demonstrated effectiveness of PCTR facilitated by Ni-Cu bimetallic catalysts, we expect this study could contribute to advancing and transforming plasma-catalytic tar reforming.