Catalytic surface development of novel nickel plate catalyst with combined thermally annealed platinum and alumina coatings for steam methane reforming

Catalytically active surface of small nickel (min 99 wt%) plates for steam methane reforming was enhanced by successive temperature programmed oxidation−reduction (TPO−TPR) pretreatment and combined physical vapor deposition of Pt and Al2O3. The effect of annealing time, temperature, order and number of coatings on the catalytic activity was investigated by means of a pulse technique at the reaction temperature of 760 °C. The most active and stable surface phases resulted after the successively deposited layers of Pt, Al2O3, and Pt had been annealed for 12 h onto 2-cycle TPO−TPR pretreated nickel plate at the temperature of 700 °C in a circulating atmosphere of N2. The durability performance of the so-prepared surface phases on a specifically structured plate catalyst element (diameter 43 mm and length 42 mm) was tested in a tubular reactor for some 70 h in temperature range 500−650 °C. Deactivation was mainly caused by carbon surface deposition.

Graphical abstractStructured nickel (Ni) plate catalyst for steam methane reforming (SMR) with enhanced activity by platinum (Pt) and alumina (Al2O3) coating.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Catalytic enhancement of structured Ni-plate reforming catalyst was investigated. ► Oxidation–reduction process and deposition of Pt and Al2O3 were done on Ni plates. ► Catalytic activity of enhanced Ni-plate samples was tested by pulse technique. ► Structured Ni-plate catalyst was examined in continuous differential reactor. ► Catalyst deactivation at conditions chosen was caused mainly by carbon deposition.