Autothermal reforming of methane over Ni catalysts supported on nanocrystalline MgO with high surface area and plated-like shape

Autothermal reforming of methane (ATRM), combination of partial oxidation and steam reforming was performed over MgO supported Ni catalysts. The preparation of MgO via surfactant-assisted precipitation method led to obtain a nanocrystalline carrier for nickel catalysts. The results demonstrated that methane conversion is significantly increased with increasing the Ni content (5, 7, 10 and 15%Ni) and methane conversion of 15%Ni/MgO was higher than that of other catalysts with lower Ni loading in all operation temperatures.In addition, increasing the system operation temperatures led to decrease in H2/CO due to the fact that water-gas shift reaction was thermodynamically unfavorable at elevated temperatures. This catalyst also exhibited stable catalytic performance during 50 h time on stream. Furthermore, the influences of varying GHSV and feed ratio on activity of 15%Ni/MgO catalyst were investigated.

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► Nickel catalysts were evaluated through autothermal reforming of methane, combining steam reforming and partial oxidation.
► Nanocrystalline magnesium oxide with high surface area and plate-like shape was used as support.
► Strong interaction between NiO–MgO solid solution leads to small and finely dispersed Ni particles.
► The results showed that the feed ratio plays a decisive role on catalytic activity during ATRM reaction.
► 15%Ni/MgO was very effective and stable catalyst during 50 h of reaction in this process.