Problem of coke formation on Ni/ZrO2 catalysts during the carbon dioxide reforming of methane

Abstract

The suitability of zirconia-based nickel catalysts for the CO2 reforming reaction has been investigated with emphasis on the stability of the cattalysts under conditions favourable towards carbon formation. It has been found that between 720°C-780°C catalysts having lower loadings of nickel (<2wt%) are more stable than those with higher nickel contents at stoichiometric CO2/CH4 ratios. Two forms of deposited carbon were observed for the less stable catalysts, whereas more stable catalysts had only one form of deposited carbon.