ROLE OF URANIA AND ALUMINA AS SUPPORTS IN STEAM REFORMING OF N-BUTANE AT PRESSURE OVER NICKEL-CONTAINING CATALYSTS

Catalysts used for the steam reforming of hydrocarbons usually contain nickel as the active component. Promoters—for example, potassium—are also added to neutralize the acidity of the support and so mitigate the effect of coke formation. Coke formation on the active sites of the catalyst is reduced by the introduction of uranium to the catalyst formulation. Kinetic data imply that water is preferentially adsorbed on the active surface of the nickel-urania catalyst, whereas in the case of a nickel-alumina catalyst the active surface is covered with adsorbed hydrocarbons. One of the roles of the support may be to supply oxygenated species, resulting from the adsorption of water, to the surface of the metal. © 1969, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.