Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effects of MgO promoter on properties of Ni/Al2O3 catalysts for partial oxidation of methane to syngas

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Frontiers of Chemical Engineering in China Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The effects of MgO promoter on the physicochemical properties and catalytic performance of Ni/Al2O3 catalysts for the partial oxidation of methane to syngas were studied by means of BET, XRD, H2-TPR, TEM and performance evaluation. It was found that the MgO promoter benefited from the uniformity of nickel species in the catalysts, inhibited the formation of NiAl2O4 spinel and improved the interaction between nickel species and support. These results were related to the formation of NiO-MgO solid solution and MgAl2O4 spinel. Moreover, for the catalysts with a proper amount of MgO promoter, the nickel dispersiveness was enhanced, therefore making their catalytic performance in methane partial oxidation improved. However, the excessive MgO promoter exerted a negative effect on the catalytic performance. Meanwhile, the basicity of MgO promoted the reversed water-gas shift reaction, which led to an increase in CO selectivity and a decrease in H2 selectivity. The suitable content of MgO promoter in Ni/Al2O3 catalyst was ∼7 wt-%.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Wu T H, Yuan Y Y, Wan H L. On performance of supported transient metal catalysts for partial oxidation of methane to syngas. J Zhejiang Normal Univ (Nat Sci), 2004, 27(2): 147–151 (in Chinese)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Wang H T, Li Z H, Tian S X, He F. Effect of promoter on catalytic performance of Ni/A12O3 catalyst in partial oxidation of methane to syngas. J Fuel Chem Technol, 2004, 32(4): 475–480 (in Chinese)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Ashcroft A T, Cheetham A K, Foord J S, Green M L H, Grey C P, Murrell A J, Vernon P D F. Selective oxidation of methane to synthesis gas using transition metal catalysts. Nature, 1990, 344: 319–321

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Zhang Y H, Xiong G X, Sheng S S, Yang W S. Deactivation studies over NiO/γ-Al2O3 catalysts for partial oxidation of methane to syngas. Catal Today, 2000, 63: 517–522

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Ji Y Y, Li W Z, Xu H Y, Chen Y X. Catalytic partial oxidation of methane to synthesis gas over Ni/γ-Al2O3 catalyst in a fluidizedbed. Appl Catal A, 2001, 213(1): 25–31

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Wu Y C, Yang Y, Li Y, Cui P. Effect of addition of alumina sol on γ → α phase transformation of ultrafined alumina. Acta Phys-Chim Sin, 2005, 21(1): 79–83 (in Chinese)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Gong L Q, Chen J X, Qiu Y D, Zhang J Y. Effects of calcinations temperature on structure and catalytic performance of Ni/MgOA12O3 catalysts for partial oxidation of methane. J Fuel Chem Technol, 2005, 33(2): 224–228 (in Chinese)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Zhang Y H, Xiong G X, Sheng S S, Liu S L, Yang W S. Interaction of NiO with γ-Al2O3 supporter of NiO/γ-Al2O3 catalysts. Acta Phys-Chim Sin, 1999, 15(8): 735–741 (in Chinese)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Tornianen P, Chu X, Schmidt L D. Comparison of monolith-supported metals for the direct oxidation of methane to syngas. J Catal, 1994, 146(1): 1–10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Guo Q S, Shen Y N, Liu Z S. Ni/γ-Al2O3 catalyst covered with a layer of MgAl2O4 spinel. Petrochem Technol, 1989, 18(9): 606–609 (in Chinese)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Zhang R, Li D Q, Zhang F Z, Evans D G, Duan X. Modelling and characterization of monolayer dispersion of magnesium oxide on A12O3. Fine Chem, 2003, 20(2): 74–77 (in Chinese)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Huan G H, Yin D L, Wen J J, Zhang M K, Xu B. Effect of nickel content on sulfur tolerance of nickel-based catalysts for aromatic hydrogenation. Ind Catal, 2005, 13(1): 13–16 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  13. Zhong S H, Yang Z L, Wang A J. Study of Ni-Cu/MgSiO catalyst for methane partial oxidation to produce hydrogen in presence of steam. Petrochem Technol, 2004, 33(8): 709–713 (in Chinese)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Morterra C, Ghiotti G, Boccuzzi F, Coluccia S. An infrared spectroscopic investigation of the surface properties of magnesium aluminate spinel. J Catal, 1978, 51(3): 299–313

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Yu L, Yuan S H, Tian J Y, Wang S, Chu W. Partial oxidation of methane to syngas effects of support and promoter oil catalytic performance of Ni/Al2O3 catalyst. Chinese J Catal, 2001, 22(4): 383–386 (in Chinese)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Liu X Y, Wang S J, Guo L C. Study on out-layer Mg-A1 spinel of alumina base (I): Phase structure, pore structure and surface acidity of out-layer Mg-A1 spinel and state of supported Pd. Chinese J Catal, 1994, 15(1): 1–7 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  17. Wei Z B, Xin Q, Sham E L, Grange P, Delmon B. Studies on TiO2 distribution over Al2O3 by AEM. Acta Phys-Chim Sin, 1990, 6(4): 474–479 (in Chinese)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Wang C M, Zhao B Y, Xie Y C. Advances in the studies of spontaneous monolayer dispersion of oxides and salts on supports. Chinese J Catal, 2003, 24(6): 475–482 (in Chinese)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Lin C Z. Study on the disperse state of NiO onto the surface of γ-Al2O3. J Shengyang Normal Univ (Nat Sci), 1999, 2: 28–31 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  20. Dun C, Zeng Y C, Liang J F. Parameter of dispersion threshold value in the preparation of catalyst. J Jiaying Univ (Nat Sci), 2001, 19(6): 36–39 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  21. Xu S, Zhao R, Wang X L. Highly coking resistant and stable Ni/γ-Al2O3 catalysts prepared using microemulsion for partial oxidation of methane. J Fudan Univ (Nat Sci), 2003, 42(3): 343–346 (in Chinese)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Zhang Y F, Xie Y C, Xiao N H, Han W, Tang Y Q. Effect of MgO and La2O3 additives on Ni methanation catalyst. Petrochem Technol, 1985, 14(3): 141–148 (in Chinese)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Li J T, Zhang W D, Yan Q G, Wan H L. Effect of MgO/Al2O3 molar ratio on catalytic performance of Ni-based catalysts for CO2 reforming of methane. J Xiamen Univ (Nat Sci), 1999, 38(4): 569–572 (in Chinese)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Chen J X, Qiu Y J, Zhang J Y, Su W H. Influence of La2O3 and CeO2 promoters on physico-chemical properties and catalytic performance of Ni/MgO catalyst in methane reforming with carbon dioxide. Acta Phys-Chim Sin, 2004, 20(1): 76–80 (in Chinese)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Xu Z, Li Y M, Zhang J Y. Performance of supported nickel catalyst for reforming of CH4 with CO2 to syngas (II): Effect of basic promoters. Chinese J Catal, 1997, 18(5): 364–367 (in Chinese)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Guo J J, Lou H, Zhao H, Chai D F, Zheng X M. Dry reforming of methane over nickel catalysts supported on magnesium aluminate spinels. Appl Catal A, 2004, 273: 75–82

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Rostrup-Nielsen J R. Catalysis: Science and Technology, Vol. 5. In: Anderson J R, Boudart M, eds. Catalytic Steam Reforming. Berlin: Springer, 1984, 1–120

    Google Scholar 

  28. Parmaliana A, Arena F, Frusteri F, Giordano N. Temperature-programmed reduction study of NiO-MgO interactions in magnesia-supported Ni catalysts and NiO-MgO physical mixture. J Chem Soc, Faraday Trans, 1990, 86(14): 2663–2669

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Pengpanich S, Meeyoo V, Rirksomboon T. Methane partial oxidation over Ni/CeO2-ZrO2 mixed oxide solid solution catalysts. Catal Today, 2004(93–95): 95–105

  30. Ge X, Shen J Y. Studies on coupling of dehydrogenation of ethane with reversed water-gas shift reaction for ethylene. Chem J Chin Univ, 2001, 22(12): 2085–2090 (in Chinese)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Catalysis Science and Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China

    Qiu Yejun, Chen Jixiang & Zhang Jiyan

Authors
  1. Qiu Yejun
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Chen Jixiang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Zhang Jiyan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chen Jixiang.

Additional information

Translated from Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology, 2006, 34(4): 450–455 [译自: 燃料化学学报]

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Qiu, Y., Chen, J. & Zhang, J. Effects of MgO promoter on properties of Ni/Al2O3 catalysts for partial oxidation of methane to syngas. Front. Chem. Eng. China 1, 167–171 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11705-007-0031-7

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11705-007-0031-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation