Catalytic combustion of methane on aluminate-supported copper oxide

Copper oxide has been deposited onto high surface area magnesium aluminate spinel prepared from alumina and magnesium nitrate. The catalytic propertie s of such a solid have been investigated in methane combustion. At the labo ratory scale a very good activity is observed (light-off of 530 degrees C) and no CO is detected. Aging at 1000 degrees C under water vapour has no in fluence on activity. The previous catalyst has been washcoated on monolith and tested on a rig either with methane or synthetic natural gas at very hi gh GHSV under conditions close to those of a gas turbine. In that case also , a good activity was observed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights r eserved.