(548e) Syngas Production over Ni/MgAl2O4/Al2O3 Catalyst in Combined Reforming of Methane

Steam carbon dioxide reforming (SCR) of methane is an attractive process for getting a H₂/CO ratio of 2 which is desirable for GTL (gas to liquid) and methanol (MeOH) synthesis processes. It is widely reported that Ni and noble metals are used as reforming catalysts due to good activity and stability in reforming process. Generally Ni is mainly applied for catalysts in reforming process because of relatively low cost and inherent availability. However it has some drawbacks like sintering and deactivation by coke deposition on the catalyst surface.  It was also reported that the Ni based catalysts Supported MgAl₂O₄ spinel compound layer existed between Ni and Al₂O₃ show good stability for the process. In this work, for improvement of catalyst stability, out-layered MgAl₂O₄ spinel for Ni/MgAl₂O₄/Al₂O₃ catalyst was investigated in SCR of methane. Supports with MgAl₂O₄ contents with different ratio on γ-Al₂O₃ were prepared by impregnation method.  The catalyst without out-layered MgAl₂O₄ was also prepared for comparison of catalytic activity. Prepared catalysts were characterized by various techniques such as N₂ physisorption, H2-TPR, XRD, CO₂-TPD, SEM, TEM-EDS and TG analysis.  Aspen simulation package was used to estimate optimum experimental conditions for SCR of methane. The simulation results were compared with the experimental results. It was found that the catalyst with the out-layer of MgAl₂O₄ showed better catalytic activity and stability. It was considered that due to the out-layer magnesium aluminate spinel formation between Ni and Al₂O₃ suppress carbon deposition and inactive NiAl₂O₄ or NiO-MgO formation.