Stable carbon dioxide reforming of methane over modified Ni/Al2O3 catalysts

CO2 reforming of methane was studied over modified Ni/Al2O3 catalysts. The metal modifiers were Co, Cu, Zr, Mn, Mo, Ti, Ag and Sn. Relative to unmodified Ni/Al2O3, catalysts modified with Co, Cu and Zr showed slightly improved activity, while other promoters reduced the activity of CO2 reforming. Mn-promoted catalyst showed a remarkable reduction in coke deposition, while entailing only a small reduction in catalytic activity compared to unmodified catalyst. The catalysts prepared at high calcination temperatures showed higher activity than those prepared at low calcination temperature. The Mn-promoted catalyst showed very low coke deposition even in the absence of diluent gas and the activity changed only slightly during 100 h operation.