Structurally modified alumina supports, and heat transfer solids for high temperature fluidized bed reactions

A structurally modified alumina useful as a catalyst support, or heat transfer solid for fluidized bed synthesis gas processing. A Group IIA metal, or metals, particularly magnesium and barium, is composited with a particulate alumina to provide a catalyst support, or alumina heat transfer solid, having increased resistance to sintering and agglomeration; properties which promote defluidization of the bed in conducting fluidized bed reactions at high temperatures. The particles of preference are represented by formulas (1) and (2), a composite particle being represented by formula (1), as follows: MxAl2O3+x(1) with the core of the particle being represented by formula (2), as follows: MyAl2O3+y(2) where in formulas (1) and (2) M is a Group IIA metal, x is a number ranging from about 0.01 to about 0.4 and is representative of the number of moles of the metal M per mole of Al2O3y is a number equal to or greater than zero, and x is greater than y.