NICKEL URANIUM OXIDE CATALYSTS - CHARACTERIZATION AND EVALUATION FOR METHANATION

Some nickel-uranium oxides have been prepared by evaporation techniques. The reduction properties of these materials in hydrogen are complex and depend on the initial calcination temperature of the solid and the nickel content. The surface area of the metallic nickel component of the reduced materials increases with increasing nickel content. The uranium oxide component of the catalyst appears to maintain a high dispersion of the metallic nickel and inhibit sintering. The activity of the catalysts for the hydrogenation of carbon dioxide to methane is enhanced in catalysts with high concentrations of high-surface area metallic nickel.