Combined steam and dry reforming of methane for syngas production from biogas using bimodal pore catalysts

Abstract Three catalysts with bimodal pore structure: Ni/Al2O3, Ni/MgO-Al2O3, Ni/La2O3-Al2O3 were prepared by refluxed co-precipitation method and characterized by N2 adsorption-desorption, XRD, TPR, H2-TPD and CO2-TPD. For comparison, a Ni catalyst impregnated on commercial alumina was also prepared. The catalysts were tested in combined steam and dry reforming of methane (CSDRM) at atmospheric pressure, 600–700 °C and CH4:CO2:H2O = 1:0.48:0.8, for the preparation of synthesis gas with H2:CO ratio proper for methanol synthesis. The presence of both magnesium and lanthanum oxides contributes to a better dispersion and stabilization of Ni nanoparticles on the catalyst surface. The catalytic activity for CSDRM increases in the order Ni/Al2O3(r)