Enhanced catalytic activity of Ni on η-Al 2 O 3 and ZSM-5 on addition of ceria zirconia for the partial oxidation of methane

Abstract Nickel supported on η-Al 2 O 3 and ZSM-5(80) catalysts with and without the addition of ceria-zirconia, were prepared by co-precipitation and wet impregnation methods and used for the low temperature catalytic partial oxidation of methane (CPOM). The catalysts were tested under reaction temperatures of between 400 and 700 °C with a WHSV of 63,000 mL g −1  h −1 . The activity of the catalyst was found to be dependent on the support and preparation method. The optimum catalyst composition of those tested was 10% Ni on 25%CeO 2 -ZrO 2 /ZSM-5(80), prepared by co-precipitation, where the reaction reached equilibrium conversion at 400 °C (T 50%