ACTIVITIES OF DELTA-AL2O3-SUPPORTED BIMETALLIC PT-NIO AND CO-NIO CATALYSTS FOR METHANE AUTOREFORMING - OXIDATION STUDIES

The methane oxidation activities of Pt-NiO and Co-NiO bimetallic catal ysts have been investigated as part of a larger research program on th e autothermal reforming of methane (combined methane oxidation and ste am reforming) in a fluidized bed reactor. Experiments at atmospheric p ressure and 783-1023 K for both catalysts showed that the reaction was more selective towards Hz production at CH4:O-2 ratios greater than u nity. Light-off temperature increased with decreasing CH4:O-2 ratios, but increase in gas velocity (beyond minimum fluidization) increased t he light-off temperature. Co-NiO was as promising as the more expensiv e Pt-NiO catalyst for the oxidation.