Microwave-assisted catalytic methane reforming: A review

Microwave (MW) application into catalyzed methane reforming system has rapidly gained attention over the past two decades given the significantly enhanced conversion and yield performance as well as the suppression of coke deposition issue relative to the conventional methane reforming system. Such MW-assisted reforming technology is anticipated to play a key role in the near future to enable, via small-to-medium reactor units, conversion of the offshore and remote natural gas into liquid fuel, which uses syngas (i.e., a mixture of H2 and CO) as an intermediate chemical platform. This systematic review thus seeks to capture the relevant aspects of this technology by providing a comprehensive understanding of MW-assisted catalytic methane reforming. Guidelines for the development of high-performance catalyst under MW irradiation to retain enhanced catalytic activity over long methane reforming durations are also provided.