Preparation of Ni/Al 2O 3–ZrO 2 catalysts and their application to hydrogen production by steam reforming of LNG: Effect of ZrO 2 content grafted on Al 2O 3

Abstract

Al 2O 3–ZrO 2 supports with various zirconium contents were prepared by grafting a trichelated zirconium precursor (Zr(OBu)(CH 3COCHCOCH 3) 3) on the surface of γ-Al 2O 3. Ni/Al 2O 3–ZrO 2 catalysts were then prepared by an impregnation method, and were applied to hydrogen production by steam reforming of liquefied natural gas (LNG). The effect of ZrO 2 content grafted on γ-Al 2O 3 on the catalytic performance of Ni/Al 2O 3–ZrO 2 catalysts was investigated. Al 2O 3–ZrO 2 prepared by a grafting method served as an efficient support for the nickel catalyst in the steam reforming of LNG. Both LNG conversion and H 2 composition in dry gas over Ni/Al 2O 3–ZrO 2 catalysts showed maximum values at a certain level of zirconium content. Among the catalysts tested, Ni/Al 2O 3–ZrO 2 (Zr/Al = 0.04) catalyst showed the best catalytic performance.