Porous nickel based catalysts for partial oxidation of methane to synthesis gas

The phase composition and texture of nickel catalysts supported on ribbon porous nickel with a magnesium oxide underlayer were investigated by X-ray diffraction, low-temperature nitrogen adsorption, and electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis. The MgO underlayer was obtained by impregnation the porous nickel with a Mg(NO3)2 solution followed by calcination at 550 °C; nickel was supported additionally by impregnation with a Ni(NO3)2 solution followed by calcination at 450 °C. In the supported reduced nickel catalysts (800–900 °C, H2) the phases of Ni and a solid solution of NiO in MgO were observed; a considerable part of nickel crystallites was epitaxially bound with MgO. The partial oxidation of methane to synthesis gas (800 °С, O2/C = 0.65, GHSV = 127 L/g h) over porous nickel based catalysts was studied. The activity of initial nickel support decreased considerably during the partial oxidation of methane; the value of methane conversion decreased slightly after 100 h of testing on the supported nickel catalysts.

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► The texture of Ni catalysts supported on porous Ni with MgO underlayer was studied.
► In reduced Ni catalysts phases of Ni and solid solution of NiO in MgO were observed.
► A considerable part of nickel crystallites is epitaxially bound with MgO.
► The activity of Ni catalysts decreased slightly after 100 h of testing in POM.
► No carbon deposition was detected by TEM in tested samples.