Ni/Al2O3 catalysts for CO methanation: Effect of Al2O3 supports calcined at different temperatures

The correlation between phase structures and surface acidity of Al₂O₃ supports calcined at different temperatures and the catalytic performance of Ni/Al₂O₃ catalysts in the production of synthetic natural gas (SNG) via CO methanation was systematically investigated. A series of 10 wt% NiO/Al₂O₃ catalysts were prepared by the conventional impregnation method, and the phase structures and surface acidity of Al₂O₃ supports were adjusted by calcining the commercial γ-Al₂O₃ at different temperatures (600–1200 °C). CO methanation reaction was carried out in the temperature range of 300–600 °C at different weight hourly space velocities (WHSV = 30000 and 120000 mL·g^?1·h^?1) and pressures (0.1 and 3.0 MPa). It was found that high calcination temperature not only led to the growth in Ni particle size, but also weakened the interaction between Ni nanoparticles and Al₂O₃ supports due to the rapid decrease of the specific surface area and acidity of Al₂O₃ supports. Interestingly, Ni catalysts supported on Al₂O₃ calcined at 1200 °C (Ni/Al₂O₃-1200) exhibited the best catalytic activity for CO methanation under different reaction conditions. Lifetime reaction tests also indicated that Ni/Al₂O₃-1200 was the most active and stable catalyst compared with the other three catalysts, whose supports were calcined at lower temperatures (600, 800 and 1000 °C). These findings would therefore be helpful to develop Ni/Al₂O₃ methanation catalyst for SNG production.     

Promotion effect of additive Fe on Al2O3 supported Ni catalyst for CO2 methanation

In this paper, the effect of additive Fe on Ni/Al₂O₃ catalyst for CO₂ methanation was studied. A series of bimetallic Ni–Fe catalysts with different Ni/Fe ratios were prepared by impregnation method. For comparison, monometallic Fe‐based and Ni‐based catalysts were also prepared by the same method. The characterization results showed that adding Fe to Ni catalyst on the premise of a low Ni loading(≦12 wt.%) enhanced CO₂ methanation performance. However, when the Ni loading reached 12 wt.%, the catalytic activity decreased with the increase of Fe content, but still higher than the corresponding Ni‐based catalyst without Fe. Among them, the 12Ni3Fe catalyst exhibited the highest CO₂ conversion of 84.3 % and nearly 100% CH₄ selectivity at 50000 ml g^‐1 h^‐1 and 420 °C. The enhancement effect of adding Fe on CO₂ methanation was attributed to the dual effect of suitable electronic environment and increased reducibility generated by Fe species.     

CO2 methanation over nickel-based catalysts prepared by citric acid complexation method

Catalytic hydrogenation of carbon dioxide to methane can not only achieve the recycling of carbon resources, but also effectively meet the increasing demand for natural gas. In this paper, Ni-based catalysts on different supports including ZrO₂, CeO₂ and Al₂O₃ were synthesized using citric acid complexation method and their CO₂ methanation performances were tested. Among these catalysts, the Ni/ZrO₂ catalyst achieved the best CO₂ methanation activity. The catalysts were characterized by N₂-physisorption, XRD, H₂-TPR and H₂-TPD. The results indicate that the superiority of the Ni/ZrO₂ catalyst can be mainly ascribed to its not only high Ni dispersion but also high reduction degree. Since the reduction degree of Ni/Al₂O₃ is low, it exhibits poor activity. The preparation condition for the Ni/ZrO₂ catalyst was further optimized. The result shows that at molar ratio of citric acid to Ni ions of 3, the catalyst exhibits the best activity owing to the highest Ni dispersion, the largest Ni surface area, an appropriate metal-support interaction and the most moderate basic sites.     

Effect of preparation method on structural characteristics and propane steam reforming performance of Ni–Al2O3 catalysts

Propane steam reforming was studied over Ni–Al₂O₃ catalysts that were prepared by a conventional impregnation (IM) method and a one-step sol–gel (SG) technique. Both Ni–Al₂O₃ catalysts showed similar initial activity. However, IM-Ni–Al₂O₃ deactivated severely with time-on-stream of propane steam reforming. The catalyst prepared using a SG technique demonstrated stable catalytic performance. The two catalysts also showed major differences in product distribution, with SG catalyst giving much higher yields of hydrogen. Catalysts were characterized with temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), temperature-programmed oxidation (TPO), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. It was revealed that, with sol–gel preparation, highly dispersed small Ni crystallites are formed with a strong interaction with the support. This is shown to be important for coke suppression and catalyst stability.     

SiO2和Al2O3负载的Ni基催化剂在甲烷干重整中的催化性能差异

CH₄与CO₂干重整反应对于环境保护和天然气资源的合理利用具有重要意义。SiO₂和Al₂O₃是适用于甲烷干重整反应的两种典型的催化剂载体。为了阐明这两种载体对催化剂性能的影响,本研究采用等体积浸渍法制备了Ni/Al₂O₃和Ni/SiO₂催化剂,并利用BET、TEM、H₂-TPR、XRD、TG和Raman等技术对还原和反应后的催化剂进行了表征。结果表明,由于载体的性质不同,Ni基催化剂在甲烷干重整中的催化性能也不同。Ni/SiO₂催化剂的初始活性较高,但由于其金属-载体相互作用较弱,催化稳定性较差,在800℃下反应15h其催化活性急剧下降;较弱的金属-载体相互作用使得Ni/SiO₂催化剂上的Ni颗粒较大,有利于积炭前驱物种的生成,导致催化剂快速失活。而对于Ni/Al₂O₃催化剂,金属-载体相互作用较强,Ni颗粒较小,但由于Ni与Al₂O₃生成了NiAl_xO_y物种,有效活性位减少,其催化活性相对较低,但催化稳定性较好,干重整反应进行50h其活性保持稳定;Ni与Al₂O₃之间较强的相互作用有利于形成小且稳定的Ni粒子,能减少积炭,因而具有优异的催化稳定性。     

Methane-fueled SOFC with traditional nickel-based anode by applying Ni/Al2O3 as a dual-functional layer

Novel γ-Al₂O₃ supported nickel (Ni/Al₂O₃) catalyst was developed as a functional layer for Ni–ScSZ cermet anode operating on methane fuel. Catalytic tests demonstrated Ni/Al₂O₃ had high and comparable activity to Ru–CeO₂ and much higher activity than the Ni–ScSZ cermet anode for partial oxidation, steam and CO₂ reforming of methane to syngas between 750 and 850 °C. By adopting Ni/Al₂O₃ as a catalyst layer, the fuel cell demonstrated a peak power density of 382 mW cm^?2 at 850 °C, more than two times that without the catalyst layer. The Ni/Al₂O₃ also functioned as a diffusion barrier layer to reduce the methane concentration within the anode; consequently, the operation stability was also greatly improved without coke deposition.     

Steam reforming of ethylene glycol over Ni-based catalysts: the effect of K

The effect of K on the activities of Ni/Al₂O₃ catalysts in steam reforming of ethylene glycol was investigated. Ni/Al₂O₃ catalysts were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation and co-precipitation methods. The addition of K was achieved using an incipient wetness impregnation method. The prepared catalysts were characterized by N₂ physisorption, inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, temperature-programmed reduction, and scanning electron microscopy. Irrespective of the preparation method, the promotional effect of K was observed and the optimum K content (~5 wt%) was verified for K-promoted Ni/Al₂O₃ catalysts. The addition of K to the Ni–Al₂O₃ catalyst prepared by co-precipitation led to higher catalytic activity than addition of K to the Ni/Al₂O₃ catalyst prepared by incipient wetness impregnation.     

超声改性的CuO/Al2O3-MgO催化剂结构 及其超低浓度甲烷催化燃烧性能

采用普通浸渍和超声改性的方法分别制备了CuO/Al₂O₃-MgO催化剂,用于超低浓度甲烷的催化燃烧,并利用SEM、XRD、XPS、H₂-TPR等技术对催化剂进行表征,研究了超声改性作用对催化剂的结构和性能的影响.结果表明,与普通浸渍法制备的催化剂相比,在超声改性的CuO/Al₂O₃-MgO催化剂上,甲烷的转化率得到提高,燃烧特征温度降低.随着超声时间的延长和超声功率的增加,催化剂的催化活性均呈现先增大后减小的趋势;催化剂制备的最佳超声工况为功率150 W、时间20 min.超声改性可使催化剂的比表面积和孔容积增大,表面催化活性较高的Cu⁺浓度增加,活性组分CuO由晶相向非晶相转变、分散度增大,晶粒粒径变小、分布更均匀;这使得甲烷催化燃烧的表观活化能下降、催化剂活性得到增强.     

CO2 在高分散 Ni/La2O3 催化剂上的甲烷化

 以 La2O3 为载体, 采用浸渍法制备了 10%Ni/La2O3 催化剂, 考察了该催化剂的 CO2 甲烷化反应性能. 结果表明, 在较低的温度 (350 oC) 和高空速 (约 30000 h–1) 下, 甲烷时空收率可大于 3000 g/(kg•h), 无论转化率高低, 甲烷选择性始终保持在 100%. X 射线衍射和 H2-程序升温还原等表征结果表明, CO2 在 Ni/La2O3 催化剂上的加氢机理可能与 Ni/γ-Al2O3 上不同, 并且 La2O2CO3 的形成有利于提高催化剂活性.     

柠檬酸添加方式对Mo-Ni-P/Al_2O_3催化剂加氢活性的影响

以Mo、Ni为活性组分,Al_2O_3为载体,采用不同柠檬酸添加方法制备了Mo-Ni-P/Al_2O_3催化剂.通过氢气程序升温还原(H2-TPR)、X射线衍射(XRD),透射扫描电镜(TEM)、XPS等表征方法研究催化剂的物化性质.结果表明:催化剂经柠檬酸的后处理,改善了载体氧化铝表面羟基基团的分布,促使Mo物种以八面体配位多核聚钼酸的形态存在,有效地减弱了载体与活性金属之间的强相互作用,提高了Mo物种的分散度与硫化度,使得催化剂形成更多"Mo-Ni-S"加氢活性相,提高了催化剂的加氢活性.与其他处理方法相比,柠檬酸后处理的催化剂对VGO具有更高的加氢脱硫、脱氮与芳烃饱和性能.     

Ni/Al2O3改性催化剂催化重整生物油模拟物制氢研究

制备了Ni/Al₂O₃、Ni-Cu/Al₂O₃、Ni-Co/Al₂O₃和Ni-Co-Cu/Al₂O₃催化剂,研究了Co和Cu对生物油水蒸气催化重整的影响。实验表明,Co 能促进水汽变换(WGS)反应,提高氢气的产率,Cu能抑制反应中焦炭的形成,提高催化剂的稳定性。对催化剂Ni-Co-Cu/Al₂O₃进行工艺条件考察,当900 ℃、水油比为6 g/g、质量空速(WHSV)为1 h^-1时,碳选择性达到87.5%,氢气产率达到84.2%,潜在氢气产率达到92.4%。     

Catalytic methanation reaction over supported nickel-rhodium oxide for purification of simulated natural gas

In this research,new catalyst with high industrial impact is developed,which can catalyze the conversion of CO2 to methane through methanation reaction.A series of catalysts based on nickel oxide were prepared using wetness impregnation technique and ageing,followed by calcination at 400℃.Rh/Ni(30:70)/Al2O3 catalyst was revealed as the most potential catalyst based on the results of catalytic activity measurement monitored by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy(FTIR)and Gas Chromatography(GC).The results showed 90.1%CO2 conversion and 70.8% yield at 400℃.     

Hydrogen Production by Steam Reforming of Ethanol Over Mesoporous Ni–Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Catalysts

This review paper reports the recent progress concerning the application of nickel–alumina–zirconia based catalysts to the ethanol steam reforming for hydrogen production. Several series of mesoporous nickel–alumina–zirconia based catalysts were prepared by an epoxide-initiated sol–gel method. The first series comprised Ni–Al₂O₃–ZrO₂ xerogel catalysts with diverse Zr/Al molar ratios. Chemical species maintained a well-dispersed state, while catalyst acidity decreased with increasing Zr/Al molar ratio. An optimal amount of Zr (Zr/Al molar ratio of 0.2) was required to achieve the highest hydrogen yield. In the second series, Ni–Al₂O₃–ZrO₂ xerogel catalysts with different Ni content were examined. Reducibility and nickel surface area of the catalysts could be modulated by changing nickel content. Ni–Al₂O₃–ZrO₂ catalyst with 15 wt% of nickel content showed the highest nickel surface area and the best catalytic performance. In the catalysts where copper was introduced as an additive (Cu–Ni–Al₂O₃–ZrO₂), it was found that nickel dispersion, nickel surface area, and ethanol adsorption capacity were enhanced at an appropriate amount of copper introduction, leading to a promising catalytic activity. Ni–Sr–Al₂O₃–ZrO₂ catalysts prepared by changing drying method were tested as well. Textural properties of Ni–Sr–Al₂O₃–ZrO₂ aerogel catalyst produced from supercritical drying were enhanced when compared to those of xerogel catalyst produced from conventional drying. Nickel dispersion and nickel surface area were higher on Ni–Sr–Al₂O₃–ZrO₂ aerogel catalyst, which led to higher hydrogen yield and catalyst stability over Ni–Sr–Al₂O₃–ZrO₂ aerogel catalyst.     

Catalytic activities of Mo-modified Ni/Al2O3 catalysts for thioetherification of mercaptans and di-olefins in fluid catalytic cracking naphtha

A series of molybdenum-modified Ni/Al₂O₃ catalysts were prepared, and their catalytic activities and stabilities for thioetherification of mercaptans and di-olefins in fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) naphtha were investigated. The sulfided catalyst samples were characterized by a range of physical techniques. The results showed that the addition of Mo to Ni catalysts could improve the degree of dispersion of Ni species in the carrier, inhibit the formation of NiAl₂O₄ crystallites, enhance the presulfidation degree of the metals, and change the chemical environment and electronic structure of Ni. These effects could significantly improve the activity of the Ni/Al₂O₃ catalysts for thioetherification in FCC naphtha. Furthermore, addition of a small amount of Mo improved the di-olefin selective hydrogenation ability of the Ni/Al₂O₃ catalyst and significantly reduced coke formation during the reaction.     

Effect of ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> on Catalyst Structure and Catalytic Sulfur-Resistant Methanation Performance of MoO<Subscript>3</Subscript>/ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> Catalysts

A series of MoO₃/ZrO₂–Al₂O₃ catalysts was prepared and investigated in the sulfur-resistant methanation aimed at production of synthetic natural gas. Different methods including impregnation, deposition precipitation, and co-precipitation were used for preparing ZrO₂–Al₂O₃ composite supports. These composite supports and their corresponding Mo-based catalysts were investigated in the sulfur-resistant methanation, and characterized by N₂ adsorption–desorption, XRD and H₂-TPR. The results indicated that adding ZrO₂ promoted MoO3dispersion and decreased the interaction between Mo species and support in the MoO₃/ZrO₂–Al₂O₃ catalysts. The co-precipitation method was favorable for obtaining smaller ZrO₂ particle size and improving textural properties of support, such as better MoO₃ dispersion and increased concentration of Mo⁶⁺ species in octahedral coordination to oxygen. It was found that the MoO₃/ZrO₂–Al₂O₃ catalyst with ZrO₂Al₂O₃ composite support prepared by co-precipitation method exhibited the best catalytic activity. The ZrO₂ content in the ZrO₂Al₂O₃ composite support was further optimized. The MoO₃/ZrO₂–Al₂O₃ with 15 wt % ZrO₂ loading exhibited the highest sulfur-resistant CO methanation activity, and excess ZrO₂ reduced the specific surface area and enhanced the interaction between Mo species and support. The N₂ adsorption-desorption results indicated that the presence of ZrO₂ in excessive amounts decreased the specific surface area since some amounts of ZrO₂ form aggregates on the surface of the support. The XRD and H₂-TPR results showed that with the increasing ZrO₂ content, ZrO₂ particle size increased. These led to the formation of coordinated tetrahedrally Mo⁶⁺(T) species and crystalline MoO₃, and this development was unfavorable for improving the sulfur-resistant methanation performance of MoO₃/ZrO₂–Al₂O₃ catalyst.     

Selective CO methanation over amorphous Ni-Ru-B/ZrO2 catalyst for hydrogen-rich gas purification

Amorphous Ni-Ru-B/ZrO₂ catalysts were prepared by chemical reduction method. The effects of Ni-Ru-B loading and Ru/Ni mole ratio on the catalytic performance for selective CO methanation from reformed fuel were studied, and the catalysts were characterized by BET, ICP, XRD and TPD. The results showed that Ru strongly affected the catalytic activity and selectivity by increasing the thermal stability of amorphous structure, promoting the dispersion of the catalyst particle, and intensifying the CO adsorption. For the catalysts with Ru/Ni mole ratio under 0.15, the CO methanation conversion and selectivity increased significantly with the increasing Ru/Ni mole ratio. Among all the catalysts investigated, the 30 wt% Ni-Ru-B loading amorphous Ni₆₁Ru₉B₃₀/ZrO₂ catalyst with 0.15 Ru/Ni mole ratio presented the best catalytic performance, over which higher than 99.9% of CO conversion was obtained in the temperature range of 230°C～250°C, and the CO₂ conversion was kept under the level of 0.9%.     

Structural Properties of Ni/γ−Al2O3 and Cu/γ−Al2O3 Catalyst and its Application for Hydrogenation of Furfurylidene Acetone

Hydrogenation of furfurylidene acetone has been carried out using Ni/γ−Al₂O₃ and Cu/γ−Al₂O₃ catalyst in the presence of isopropanol in autoclave batch reactor. The hydrogenation using Cu/γ−Al₂O₃ at 120^oC for 6 h gives main formation of 1,5-bis-(furan-2-yl)-pentan-3-one. Reaction at higher temperature at 140^oC for 8 h using Ni/γ−Al₂O₃ leads to 1,5-bis-(furan-2-yl)-penta-1-en-3-one. The different selectivity of both catalysts is explained by physical properties including the surface area and distribution of metal loading.     

Preparation of MoO3/g-Al2O3 catalyst by the reaction of a-boehmite with MoO3/H2O slurry - dual role of MoO3 as active phase and texture stabilizer during calcination

Summary Catalyst MoO₃/g-Al₂O₃ was prepared by the reaction of a-boehmite with molybdic acid in slurry MoO₃/H₂O followed by calcination. The deposited MoO₃ functioned as thermal stabilizer and inhibited sintering of Al₂O₃ phase during calcination. After calcination at 550 and 650^oC the surface area of Al₂O₃ obtained from a-boehmite was 207 and 172 m² g^-1, respectively, and of MoO₃/Al₂O₃ obtained from MoO₃/a-boehmite was 323 and 285 m² g^-1, respectively. On the other hand, molybdic acid did not work as peptization agent and the mechanical strength of MoO₃/Al₂O₃ was not higher than of Al₂O₃. The catalyst was sulfided and its activity in thiophene hydrodesulfurization was tested; it exhibited about the same activity as reference industrial MoO₃/Al₂O₃ catalyst.     

Effects of Mo2C loading and H2S concentration on Mo2C/Al2O3 catalyst applied in sulfur‐resistant methanation

Mo₂C/Al₂O₃ catalyst was prepared by the impregnation method with urotropine and ammonium paramolybdate. The catalytic effect of Mo₂C as a typical transition‐metal carbide in sulfur‐resistant methanation was studied. The catalysts prepared were characterized by N₂ adsorption–desorption, X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, H₂‐temperature‐programmed reduction, and Raman spectra, with the results confirming the formation of β‐molybdenum carbide on the surface of the catalysts. Studies on catalysts with different loading doses indicate that the optimal loading of Mo₂C/Al₂O₃ is about 15 wt.%, which enables CO conversion rate of up to 47%, with methane selectivity of up to 53%. This work further explored the effect of different concentrations of H₂S in the raw gas on the performance of the catalyst, with the results showing that high concentration of H₂S (>1500 ppm) can lead to sulfuration of active species on the catalyst, while resulting in a decrease in the catalytic activity.     

Catalytic conversion of greenhouse gases (CO2 and CH4) to syngas over Ni-based catalyst: Effects of Ce-La promoters

Dry reforming of methane (DRM) is an emerging technology as it can simultaneously serve as a prospective alternative energy source and mitigate greenhouse gases (e.g. CH₄ and CO₂). However, the industrial applications of DRM remain restricted due to the poor prospect of catalyst deactivation. In this study, the effects of adding CeO₂ and La₂O₃ as promoters on the catalytic performance of Ni/Al₂O₃ catalyst were assessed. Catalysts such as Ni/Al₂O₃, Ni/Al₂O₃-La₂O₃, and Ni/Al₂O₃-CeO₂ were synthesized at nano level using the sol-gel method. Citric acid was added to improve the reactivity of catalysts before the application of DRM. Various characterisation techniques were used to characterise synthesized catalysts, including Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis, temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), field emission scanning microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results revealed that the BET surface area of the synthesized catalyst slightly decreased when CeO₂ and La₂O₃ were added due to the deposition on the porous structure of the support. Meanwhile, the XRD results demonstrated the increase in reducibility and dispersion of Ni using CeO₂ promoter and the inhibited development of the non-active phase of Ni/Al₂O₃ using La₂O₃ promoter (i.e. NiAl₂O₄), resulting in the carbon formation and reduced efficiency of the catalyst. The catalytic performance in DRM at 800 °C showed that Ni/Al₂O₃-CeO₂ catalyst exhibited higher catalytic performance in terms of CH₄ and CO₂ conversion with 89.6% and 91.2% respectively. While Ni/Al₂O₃-La₂O₃ was found to play a substantial role in the stability of the chemical reaction during the 8 h reaction time-on-stream.