Performance of Ni/Al2O3-MgO catalyst for Dry Reforming of Methane: Effect of preparation routes

Abstract

Nickel based nano-catalysts, supported on bimetallic oxide support (i.e. Ni/Al2O3-MgO) were prepared by the co-precipitation (one step, Catalyst-A) and co-precipitation followed by impregnation (two steps, Catalyst-B) techniques separately. The catalysts were then tested for the dry reforming of methane (DRM) reaction. The effect of catalyst synthesis technique on their performance has been analysed. The Ni/Al2O3-MgO nano-catalyst prepared by co-precipitation followed by impregnation method (two steps) technique was found to be superior to the one synthesized by co-precipitation (one step) method. The elevated CO2 and CH4 conversions and stable H2/CO ratio have been observed throughout the DRM reaction at atmospheric pressure (i.e., 1atm), 800°C for Catalyst-B. Catalyst-B was better in terms of activity, conversion to syngas, stability, and reduced coke formation comparatively.