ALPHA-AL2O3 CATALYST SUPPORTS FOR SYNTHESIS GAS-PRODUCTION - INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT ALUMINA BONDING AGENTS ON SUPPORT AND CATALYST PROPERTIES

Aluminas are widely used as catalytic supports in chemical reactions. Reforming reactions to obtain synthesis gas requires good mechanical s trength and low sintering behaviour. In this work, the influence of be ntonite, aluminium phosphate and alumina gel as binder agents of a cal cined alpha-Al2O3 are analyzed with respect to support and catalytic p roperties. The alpha-Al2O3 supports, calcined at 1300 degrees C, are t hen impregnated with solutions of Ni and Al inorganic salts to obtain the catalysts and are finally tested in the reforming reaction of meth ane to synthesis gas at 500-900 degrees C. Supports and catalysts are characterized by XRD, SEM, N-2 adsorption, mechanical strength test an d other techniques. Mechanical strength depends on the type and quanti ty of binder material used during support preparation. The influence o f the support an the performance of the resulting catalyst is evidence d by means of catalytic tests.