Effect of molybdenum additives on the performance of supported nickel catalysts for methane dry reforming

A series of molybdenum modified alumina supported nickel catalysts have been prepared and tested for methane dry reforming to synthesis gas. The molybdenum additive reduces carbon deposition in the catalyst, and lowers the catalyst activity and selectivity. Increase of the amount of molybdenum additive causes a more rapid decrease in catalyst activity. Using a feedstock of CO2/CH4 ratio = 1, the molybdenum-doped nickel catalyst has a greater stability than when CO2/CH4 = 1.1. Carburisation pretreatment of the molybdenum modified nickel catalyst using 20 vol.% CH4/H-2 leads to a small improvement in catalyst stability. The formation of NiMoO4 is believed to be responsible for the decrease of catalyst activity. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.