Hydrogen production by steam reforming of liquefied natural gas (LNG) over nickel catalyst supported on mesoporous alumina prepared by a non-ionic surfactant-templating method

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy 2009-02, Vol.34 (4), p.1809-1817
• Main Authors: Seo, Jeong Gil, Youn, Min Hye, Song, In Kyu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alternative fuels. Production and utilization; Aluminum oxide; Applied sciences; Catalysts; Dispersions; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; Fuels; Hydrogen; Hydrogen production; Liquefied natural gas; Mesoporous alumina; Nickel; Nickel catalyst; Non-ionic surfactant-templating method; Reforming; Steam reforming of liquefied natural gas; Surface area
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2008.12.031

A mesoporous alumina (A-NS) support was prepared by a non-ionic surfactant-templating method. A nickel catalyst supported on mesoporous alumina (Ni/A-NS) was then prepared by an impregnation method for use in hydrogen production by steam reforming of liquefied natural gas (LNG). For comparison, a nickel catalyst supported on commercial alumina (Ni/A-C) was also prepared by an impregnation method. Well-developed mesoporosity of A-NS support and strong metal-support interaction of Ni/A-NS catalyst greatly enhanced the nickel dispersion and nickel surface area through the formation of surface nickel aluminate. In the steam reforming of LNG, Ni/A-NS catalyst showed a better catalytic performance than Ni/A-C catalyst. High nickel surface area, high nickel dispersion, and well-developed mesoporosity of Ni/A-NS catalyst not only provided a large number of active nickel sites, but also suppressed the carbon deposition and nickel sintering during the reaction. Furthermore, Ni/A-NS catalyst exhibited a better catalytic performance than nickel catalyst supported on mesoporous alumina prepared by either an anionic surfactant-templating method or a cationic surfactant-templating method.