Syngas production from natural gas using ZrO2-supported metals

Samples containing 1 wt% of Co, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pd and Pt supported on zirconia have been tested for the steam reforming of methane at temperatures from 400 degrees C to 800 degrees C. The Pt, Pd and Ni materials were found to be the most active. Stability tests at 800 degrees C showed that the Pt sample was the only stable catalyst, significant carbon deposition occurring on the other samples. Partial oxidation and CO2 reforming of methane were also carried out over the Pt/ZrO2 catalyst and this material was found to be quite stable under the conditions for these reactions. Additional CO2 reforming and partial oxidation experiments were carried out using feeds to which steam was added. The H-2/CO ratio could be manipulated, depending on the feed composition used. The addition of steam during partial oxidation gave a much more stable temperature profile through the catalyst bed than was obtained under pure partial oxidation conditions. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.