Production of syngas via autothermal reforming of methane in a fluidized-bed reactor over the combined CeO 2–ZrO 2/SiO 2 supported Ni catalysts

Abstract

Production of syngas via autothermal reforming of methane (MATR) in a fluidized bed reactor was investigated over a series of combined CeO 2–ZrO 2/SiO 2 supported Ni catalysts. These combined CeO 2–ZrO 2/SiO 2 supports and supported Ni catalysts were characterized by nitrogen adsorption, XRD, NH 3-TPD, CO 2-TPD and H 2-TPR. It was found that the combined supports integrated the advantages of SiO 2 and CeO 2, ZrO 2. That is, they have bigger surface area (about 300 m 2/g) than pure CeO 2 and ZrO 2, stronger acidity and alkalescence than that of pure SiO 2, and enhanced the mobility of H adatoms. Ni species dispersed highly on these combined CeO 2–ZrO 2/SiO 2 supports, and became more reducible. Ni catalysts on the combined supports possess higher CO 2 adsorption ability, higher methane activation ability and exhibited higher activity for MATR. H 2/CO ratio in product gas could be controlled successfully in the range of 0.99–2.21 by manipulating the relative concentrations of CO 2 and O 2 in feed.