Reforming of methane with carbon dioxide to synthesis gas over supported Rh catalysts

Abstract

Reforming of methane with carbon dioxide to synthesis gas (CO/H2) has been investigated over rhodium supported on SiO2, TiO2, γ-Al2O3, MgO, CeO2, and YSZ (ZrO2 (8 mol% Y2O3)) catalysts in the temperature range of 650-750°C at 1 bar total pressure. A strong carrier effect on the initial specific activity, deactivation rate, and carbon accumulation was found to exist. A strong dependence of the specific activity of the methane reforming reaction on rhodium particle size was observed over certain catalysts. Tracing experiments (using 13CH4) coupled with temperature-programmed oxidation (TPO) revealed that the carbon species accumulated on the surface of the Rh/Al2O3 catalyst during reforming reaction at 750°C are primarily derived from the CO2 molecular route. The amount of carbon present on the working catalyst surface which is derived from the CH4 molecular route is found to be very small. © 1994.