Promoting effect of noble metals addition on activity and resistance to carbon deposition in oxidative steam reforming of methane over NiO–MgO solid solution

Additive effects of noble metals such as Rh, Pt and Pd on NiO–MgO solid solution in oxidative steam reforming of methane under atmospheric pressure and pressurized condition were investigated. In the reaction under atmospheric pressure, Ni0.2Mg0.8O lost the reforming activity due to catalyst oxidation; however, the addition of small amount of noble metals enhanced the activity drastically, especially at low W/F condition (0.13 g h/mol). From the reaction tests under pressurized conditions, the noble metal addition was also effective to the inhibition of carbon deposition. In terms of the promotion in catalyst activity and inhibition of carbon deposition, Rh was the most effective component even when the additive amount of Rh was as low as 0.035%.