Preparation and characterization of Ni based catalysts for the catalytic partial oxidation of methane: Effect of support basicity on H2/CO ratio and carbon deposition

The catalytic partial oxidation of methane (CPOM) was studied on Ni based catalysts. Catalysts were prepared by wet impregnation method and characterized by using AAS, BET, XRD, HRTEM, TPR, TPO, Raman Spectroscopy and TPSR techniques. The prepared catalysts showed nearly 95% CH₄ conversion and nearly 96% H₂ selectivity under the flow of 157,500 (L kg⁻¹ h⁻¹) with the ratio of CH₄/O₂ = 2 by using air as an oxidant at 1 atm and 800 °C. Support basicity greatly influenced the H₂/CO ratio and carbon deposition. It was found that the lowest carbon deposition occurred on Ni impregnated MgO catalyst. Considering the results, it was found that Ni/MgO catalyst with 10% Ni content would be the best catalyst amongst Ni/Al₂O₃, Ni/MgO/Al₂O₃, Ni/MgAl₂O₄ and Ni/Sorbacid for the CPOM only under more reductive conditions. Under optimum conditions, Ni/MgO showed poor performance and therefore Ni/Sorbacid would be the ideal catalyst because of its greater carbon resistance than the other catalysts.