Improvements in or relating to the steam reforming of hydrocarbons

Hydrocarbons having molecular weight greater than that of methane and boiling points up to 350 DEG C. (e.g. liquefied petroleum gas) one steam-reformed using a catalyst formed from a composition comprising 3% to 80% nickel calculated as NiO 5 at least 0.5% alkali metal chromate on dichromate calculated as equivalent potassium oxide, and a refractory support. Operation at 600 DEG to 900 DEG C., 15 to 450 p.s.i.g. and a steam ratio of 2.5 to 5 moles steam per atom of carbon in the feedstock gives a synthesis gas consisting mainly of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Operation at 450 DEG to 650 DEG C., 100 to 500 p.s.i.g., and a steam ratio of 1.5 to 3.5 give a gas containing substantial amounts of urethane. Specification 953,877 is referred to.ALSO:A steam-reforming catalyst composition comprises from 3-80% of nickel calculated as NiO, at least 0,5% of an alkali metal chromate or dichromate calculated as equivalent K2O, and a refractory support. The support is one or more refractory oxides; oxides of Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Al, Ce, Si, Ti, Zr, Th, V, W, Cr, Mn are mentioned, and also manganese chromate and aluminium silicate. A combination of refractory oxide and a hydraulic binding agent, e.g. an aluminous cement of low silica content, may be used. The catalyst shape may be rings or pellets. The preformed shape may be impregnated with an aqueous solution of the alkali metal compound, or the latter may be added to an aqueous slurry of an insoluble nickel compound and support material. Examples relate to nickel carbonate-china clay-magnesia with graphite, a binding agent and potassium chromate on dichromate or potassium hydroxide+chromium trioxide; nickel carbonatechina clay-magnesia with a binding agent and potassium chromate. Specification 953,877 is referred to.