Oxidative steam reforming of methane over Ni catalysts modifi ed with noble metals

The effects of addition of small amounts of Pt, Pd, and Rh to Ni/γ-Al₂O₃ and NiO-MgO solid solutions were studied on the catalyst activation, catalyst bed temperature profile, and carbon formation behavior in oxidative steam reforming of methane. Addition of a small amount of noble metals by the sequential impregnation method resulted in the formation of segregated noble metal atoms on the surface of the bimetallic particles, indicating the sequential impregnation method was more suitable than the co-impregnation method. The results showed structural control of the Ni and noble metal bimetallic particles and design of high performance catalysts with excellent deactivation, carbon deposition, and hot-spot formation characteristics. Addition of noble metals (Pt, Pd, and Rh) to Ni_0.2Mg_0.8O solid solution catalysts inhibited carbon formation in the oxidative steam reforming of methane under pressurized conditions.