A STUDY OF CARBON DEPOSITION ON CATALYSTS DURING THE PARTIAL OXIDATION OF METHANE TO SYNTHESIS GAS

The deposition of carbon on catalysts during the partial oxidation of methane to synthesis gas has been investigated and it has been found t hat the relative rate of carbon deposition follows the order Ni > Pd > Rh > Ir. Methane decomposition was found to be the principal route fo r carbon formation over a supported nickel catalyst, and electron micr ographs showed that both ''whisker'' and ''encapsulate'' forms of carb on are present on the catalyst. Negligible carbon deposition occurred on iridium catalysts, even after 200 h.