H2S Resistant Bifunctional Catalyst for Steam Reforming of Methane: Activity and Structural Evolution

Abstract

Results of studying an iron-nickel catalyst for steam reforming of methane, which was prepared by epitaxial deposition of the coat on the surface of spherical granules of commercial γ-Al 2 O 3 , are discussed. The catalyst was shown to be resistant to the presence of hydrogen sulfide in the steam gas mixture. The methane conversion was close to equilibrium at 2.0 MPa, 800 °C, H 2 O : CH 4 = 2 : 1, feed flow rate 6000 h –1 , 30 ppm of H 2 S. XRD, transmission electron spectroscopy (TEM) and Moessbauer spectroscopy were used to study the structure evolution and phase state of the active components of the system. The formation of paramagnetic iron oxide clusters strongly bound to the support structure and iron-nickel alloy FeNi3 particles on the catalyst surface determined the polyfunctional behavior of the catalyst, which is highly active to the steam reforming of methane and to oxidative decomposition of hydrogen sulfide to elemental sulfur.