BASF Catalysts offers exceptional expertise in the development of technologies that protect the air we breathe, produce the fuels that power our world and ensure efficient production of a wide variety of chemicals, plastics and other products including advanced battery materials. BASF’s Catalysts division is the world’s leading supplier of environmental and process catalysts. The group offers exceptional expertise in the development of technologies that protect the air we breathe, produce the fuels that power our world and ensure efficient production of a wide variety of chemicals, plastics and other products, including advanced battery materials. We believe mobility’s future lies in more than just products. So where others come to a full stop, we’re just getting started—by leveraging the full power of BASF to continually advance our comprehensive package of sustainable solutions that enable us to travel further, as well as above and beyond. A leading supplier of high performance cathode active materials (CAM) for electrified vehicles to battery producers and automotive OEMs around the world. Protecting the air we breathe from harmful emissions through innovation. BASF leverages unsurpassed expertise in the development of emission control technologies for a wide range of market applications. BASF is committed to advancing and promoting environmentally-sound technologies to achieve a sustainable future in aviation. Offering 50 years of experience developing intelligent solutions for air quality over a wide range of applications — enabling clean air for a healthier, more sustainable future. As the global leader in chemical catalysts, BASF develops cutting-edge catalyst chemistry with our customers’ needs in mind. We want to contribute to a world that provides a viable future with enhanced quality of life for everyone. We do so by creating chemistry for our customers and society and by making the best use of available resources. BASF offers the widest portfolio of adsorbent technologies for a broad spectrum of applications in industries such as refining, petrochemical, chemical, and gas processing. Syngas, produced from natural gas or coal, is a key intermediate in the emerging technologies for gas-to-liquids (GTL), methanol-to-olefins, coal-to-liquids and fuel cells. At BASF, our Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) catalyst and additive offerings together with our expert technical services build the right solution to create value within any unit’s constraints. Paving the way toward a brighter, more secure future. Manufacturing products for sustainable solutions, reducing emissions from our processes, and using non-fossil fueled energy sources – all of these efforts help lead BASF on a continuing journey of sustainability. BASF Natural Gas experts have a diverse portfolio of products to custom design a solution and help you meet your Natural Gas treatment needs. BASF has been serving the natural gas treatment market for over 60 years. Innovative, step-change technology with dual-purpose performance: removal of heavy hydrocarbons and water to cryogenic specifications in a single unit. With more than 150 years of experience in metal sourcing, trading, and hedging, we’ve built tangible results for our industrial customers. With more than 100 years of experience in recycling materials, BASF’s end-to-end recycling program is known and trusted around the globe. As a leader in precious-metal thermocouples for many years, BASF recently applied its technological expertise to optical-based temperature measurement. Developing and producing pharmaceutical ingredients for more than 75 years, enabling us to provide the solutions you need to meet today's and tomorrow's challenges for your pharmaceutical business. Find the latest news and media information for BASF’s Catalysts division, headquartered in Iselin, New Jersey, USA, the world’s leading supplier of environmental and process catalysts. Explore this collection of resources to learn more about our innovative research and Catalyst solutions.
BASF Catalysts | Facility Syngas

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Dry Reforming Catalysts: SYNSPIRE™

SYNSPIRE: Dry reforming catalysts for advantageous plant operation—regarding coking, opex, capex and carbon footprint

Syngas generation based on the conventional steam reforming process requires considerable amounts of process steam. Producing this steam has a major impact on the plant's energy bill. This industry is therefore looking for ways to reduce the steam-to-carbon (S/C) ratio of syngas generation. With conventional reforming catalysts, the reduction of steam can ultimately lead to or accelerate deactivation of the catalyst due to carbon accumulation and coke formation.

The stabilized crystal structure and tuned catalyst composition of BASF's SYNSPIRE G1-110 catalyst improves gasification activity and paves the way for coke-free operation under conditions with a low S/C ratio.

The benefits of SYNSPIRE

With conventional reforming catalysts coking is initiated through deposition and insertion of a carbon species from the vapor phase into the metallic nickel (Ni) particles. Carbon accumulates at these weak points, forming carbon “whiskers“ and soft coke. This ultimately leads to deactivation of the catalyst.

Self-cleaning mechanism:

Unique structure and composition of metal oxide carrier

No accumulation of C on catalyst surface

No deactivation in dryer conditions

BASF Catalysts | SYNSPIRE™ Catalyst

See why SYNSPIRE™ performs better than the conventional catalyst

Designed to withstand coke formation

SYNSPIRE™ G1-110
Main active component Ni-oxides
Shape and size Green tablets, 4-hole quadrilobes, 15 mm x 8 mm
Tapped density 0.9-1.1 kg/l
Packaging 200 l steel drums
Expected lifetime 5-8 years
Typical operating conditions S/C < 1.8 [mol]/[mol] , H2/CO: 1-3 [mol]/[mol]
Typical operating temperature (outlet gas temp) 800-950° C
Typical operating pressure 20 – 40 bar

*S/C: Steam/Carbon [mol] / [mol], with Carbon defined as C from hydrocarbons

BASF Catalysts | Synspire

Advantages for our customers

Linde‘s DRYREF syngas generation plant capitalizes on the features of this new catalyst based on a tailored set of steam reforming parameters.

Benefits at a glance

  • New catalyst enabels coke-free operation
  • Low OPEX – energy savings and lower costs
  • CAPEX savings thanks to more compact equipment
  • CO2 utilization as feedstock
  • Smaller carbon footprint

Potential applications

  • All processes with CO2 source that require a H2 /CO ratio < 3
  • Various processes in the chemical industry
  • Downstream process in oil and gas (refining)
BASF Catalysts | DRYREF™ Process

Click on image to learn more about the DRYREF™ process.

BASF & Linde: A strategic alliance to push the efficiency boundaries

Screening unit

2010-2014 (Phase I)

Catalyst screening test
Extensive catalyst screening @hte, identification of optimized catalyst material

2014-2016 (Phase II)

Catalyst development and laboratory test
Upscaling of G1-110 from grams to hundert of kg scale, thorough performance testing on lab-scale

Miniplant
Pilot testing in Linde Pilot Reformer (LPR)

2016-2017 (Phase III)

Pilot testing in Linde Pilot Reformer (LPR)
G1-110 fully transferred to BASF production lines, catalyst pellets operated under actual reformer tube conditions

2017 (Phase IV)

Commercial demonstration
G1-110 utilization in Linde‘s industrial-scale HyCo plant with full product utilization
*Image courtesy of Linde

BASF Catalysts | Commercial demonstration
BASF SYNSPIRE™ and Linde DRYREF™

2019 (Phase V)

BASF SYNSPIRE and Linde DRYREF
Technology ready to contribute to customer success

Do more with less

Check out the benefits of Linde DRYREF™ and BASF SYNSPIRE™

Resources available

Looking for product specifications? Check out our product datasheets and industry brochures below.

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Data Sheet

G1-85

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