Kinetic studies of the dry reforming of methane over the Rh/La2O3-SiO2 catalyst

Rh(0.6%)/La2O2(27%)-SiO2 is one of the best catalysts used in membrane reactors for the CO2 reforming of methane. A reliable rate equation is needed to model the system. Hence, the fresh and used catalysts were duly characterized using several instrumental techniques (TPD, DRIFIS, and XPS). The kinetic behavior of the catalysts in the reforming reaction was investigated as a function of temperature and partial pressure of CH4 and CO2. The rate of methane consumption showed fractional order dependency on the partial pressures of both reactants. A reaction mechanism adopted from the literature and supported by the characterization data presented here led to a kinetic equation that fits the experimental data obtained. This study contributes to a better qualitative and quantitative understanding of the dry reforming of methane occurring on Rh catalysts supported on La-containing oxides.