Catalytic performance of Ni-Pr supported on delaminated clay in the dry reforming of methane

Mineral clay modified with Al, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and microwaves was used as a support to obtain a Ni-Pr catalyst. This catalytic system was evaluated in the reforming of methane with CO2. The experiments were carried out under drastic conditions for 300 min, with a 50/50 CH4/CO2 mixture, total flux of 80 mL min(-1), without dilution gas (WHSV = 96 Lg(-1)h(-1)) and without previous reduction. The effect of the calcination temperature of the materials was studied at 500 degrees C and 800 degrees C as well as the effect of Pr (evaluating nominal quantities of 0, 1, 3 and 5%). The calcination temperature of the solid influenced the formation of the NiO species which had an effect on the activity and formation of coke on the material. The Pr had a promoter effect on the activity of the catalysts increasing the conversions of the CH4 as well as the CO2. The formation of coke for the catalysts calcined at 500 degrees C presented a correlation with the praseodymium content while for those catalysts calcined at 800 degrees C there was no formation of coke. (C) 2010 Professor T. Nejat Veziroglu. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.