Hydrothermally stable catalyst composition and a process for preparation thereof

The present disclosure relates to a hydrothermally stable catalyst composition. The hydrothermally stable supported catalyst composition comprises K2CO3 impregnated on an amorphous silica-alumina support. The weight ratio of silica to alumina in the support is in the range of 0.1 to 1.5. The amount of K2CO3 is in the range of 5 wt % to 60 wt % with respect to the total catalyst composition. The catalyst composition is characterized by a pore volume in the range of 0.1 cc/g to 0.9 cc/g, a surface area in the range of 40 m2/g to 250 m2/g and an attrition index in the range of 2% to 8%. The present disclosure also relates to a process for preparing the catalyst composition. The catalyst composition provides improved hydrothermal stability, attrition resistance, high pore volume and surface area for gasifying carbonaceous feed at low temperature, as compared to a conventional catalyst composition.