Autothermal reforming of methane over Pt/ZrO2/Al2O3 catalysts

Autothermal reforming of methane, combining steam reforming and partial oxidation was carried out with Pt/Al2O3, Pt/ZrO2 and Pt/ZrO2/Al2O3 catalysts, in the temperature range of 400-900 °C. The Pt/ZrO2/Al2O3 catalyst was found to be the most active and stable at 800 °C due to the higher resistance to coke formation. The reaction occurs in two simultaneous stages: total combustion of methane and reforming of the unconverted methane with steam and CO2, with the O2 conversion of 100% starting from 450 °C. The addition of O2 to the feed increases methane conversion and the catalyst stability, decreasing the H2 and CO yields due to the enhancement of methane combustion. By manipulating the O2/CH4 ratio of the feed it is possible to achieve the H2/CO ratio that is optimal to the GTL processes.