Self-activation and self-regenerative activity of trace Ru-doped plate-type anodic alumina supported nickel catalysts in steam reforming of methane

A 17.9 wt.% Ni/Al2O3/alloy catalyst with porous anodic alumina support was subjected to steam reforming of methane after 700 °C steam purging and no reactivity was shown because of surface oxidation of sintered Ni particles. When 0.05 wt.% Ru doped on this catalyst, it exhibited self-activation and self-regenerative activity, resulted from the hydrogen spillover over Ru and/or Ru–Ni alloy. Moreover, a 97% CH4 conversion was kept for 20 h over the catalyst under electrical heating pattern.