Role of chromium in the stability of Ni/Al2O3 catalysts for natural gas reforming

Ni/Al2O3 and Ni-Cr/Al2O3 catalysts prepared with melt salts of Ni and Al (A l/Ni = 0.5) were studied by magnetic measurements, electron microscopy and catalytic properties. An increase in the catalytic activity and stability d uring partial oxidation of methane and CO2 reforming reactions at 973 K was produced by the chromium addition. The Ni-Cr alloy was formed by reduction at high temperature (1073 K), producing a dilution effect of Ni crystal an d modifying the basicity of the support. Both effects would inhibit the cat alyst deactivation increasing the useful life and stability of the nickel. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.