The CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) is a leading French research institution. Within the ēQATOR project, the activities are carried out by IRCELYON (Institut de Recherches sur la Catalyse et l’Environnement de Lyon), a CNRS research unit specialising in heterogeneous catalysis and environmental processes. IRCELYON is responsible for the development and experimental validation of catalytic systems for the dry reforming of methane (DRM) under microwave heating. This includes the selection and testing of catalyst formulations, the design and construction of a microwave-compatible test bench, and the evaluation of catalyst behaviour under different operating conditions. IRCELYON also contributes to the design of the catalytic reactor by providing experimental feedback on microwave–catalyst interactions. The objective is to optimise the syngas production step in terms of energy efficiency and selectivity, supporting the development of a more sustainable and cost-effective pathway for renewable methanol synthesis.
Learn more about CNRS's contribution to the ēQATOR project by reading the interview below, in which Andrea Merlo explains the role of the organisation within the project and the vision and goals that shape the development of ēQATOR reactor technologies.
Andrea Merlo
INTERVIEW
Please introduce yourself and your role in the project.
My name is Andrea Merlo, and I am a PhD student at IRCELYON (CNRS), based in Villeurbanne, France. Within the ēQATOR project, I am directly involved in the development and experimental validation of microwave-assisted dry reforming of methane (MW-DRM). My role consists of understanding how microwave heating affects the catalytic process and identifying the optimal catalytic materials.
How did you learn about the project and become a partner?
I became part of the ēQATOR project upon joining IRCELYON as a PhD student. My recruitment was explicitly aimed at supporting the experimental aspects of MW-DRM within the project framework. From the beginning, I have been involved in designing and conducting laboratory experiments related to microwave-assisted catalysis.
What is your organisation's role in the project, and what expertise do you bring to the table?
CNRS contributes to two major tasks of the ēQATOR project: catalyst development and the design of the catalytic reactor. Our team brings strong expertise in catalysis, materials chemistry, and reaction engineering. Personally, my background is in chemistry, with a focus on materials science, which I apply to study the behaviour of various catalysts under microwave and conventional heating.
How is your organisation collaborating with other partners in the project?
We actively collaborate with the partners responsible for both catalyst synthesis and reactor design. This collaboration involves regular exchange of experimental data, discussions of preliminary results, and coordination of research strategies to ensure coherent progress across work packages. The synergy within the consortium is essential for aligning material performance with reactor design constraints.
How do your project activities contribute to the goal of the project to achieve a cost-competitive renewable methanol production with near zero CO2 emissions?
My work directly contributes to identifying catalytic materials that are both effective for DRM and compatible with efficient microwave heating. These materials are essential to achieving high-performance syngas production under electrically driven, non-conventional heating, which reduces energy losses and enhances process sustainability. Optimising this step is crucial for the downstream methanol synthesis route envisioned in ēQATOR.
Regarding your tasks, what do you expect are or will be the greatest challenges during the project?
The main challenge lies in scaling up the technologies developed at the laboratory scale. Microwave–matter interactions are highly dependent on reactor geometry and operating conditions, making it difficult to predict how microwaves will behave in larger-scale systems. Ensuring energy efficiency and reaction control at pilot scale remains a key technical hurdle.
If you had one wish regarding the project, what would it be?
If I had one wish, it would be to demonstrate that microwave heating can be applied beyond dry reforming of methane—to a wider range of catalytic processes—thus opening the door to a broader industrial adoption of this technology for more sustainable chemical production.