EFFECT OF SUPPORT ON THE CONVERSION OF METHANE TO SYNTHESIS GAS OVER SUPPORTED IRIDIUM CATALYSTS

A partial oxidation of methane was carried our using iridium catalysts supported on several metal oxides. The productivity of the synthesis gas from methane was strongly affected by the choice of support oxides for the catalysts. The synthesis gas production proceeded basically v ia a two-step reaction consisting of methane combustion to give H2O an d CO2, followed by the reforming of methane from CO2 and steam. Althou gh the combustion and the reforming of methane from steam did not depe nd upon the catalyst support, a large variation in the catalytic activ ity fbr the reforming of methane from CO2 was observed over Ir catalys ts with different supports. The support activity order in the reformin g of methane from CO2 with iridium catalysts was as follows: TiO2 grea ter than or equal to ZrO2 greater than or equal to Y2O3 > La2O3 > MgO greater than or equal to Al2O3 > SiO2. The same order was observed in the synthesis gas production from the partial oxidation of methane.