Restrained hysterisis of methane conversion during autothermal reforming with the physically mixed catalyst

The activities of Rh–Mg/Al2O3, Pt/ZrO2 and the physically mixed catalyst of these catalysts were investigated for the autothermal reforming of methane. A hysterisis of autothermal reforming of methane on Rh–Mg/Al2O3 was observed with cycles of reaction temperature increase and decrease. However, the hysterisis was restrained on the mixed catalyst of Rh–Mg/Al2O3 and Pt/ZrO2 which showed high methane conversion the same as almost thermodynamic equilibrium. The superior activity of the mixed catalyst results from hydrogen generated on the Pt/ZrO2 at 400 °C. This reductive gas of hydrogen reduces Rh element of Rh–Mg/Al2O3 catalyst. The mixed catalyst showed excellent durability for 100 h and maintained its activity. This catalyst was not deactivated after re-oxidizing with air at low temperature.