The Advantages of Air Addition on the Methane Steam Reforming Over Ni/ -Al sub(2)O sub(3)

The impact of adding air to the feed in methane steam reforming over nickel/ -alumina catalyst was evaluated. The catalyst demonstrated a high specific surface area but low metal surface area; large Ni particles favored carbon deposition. A large quantity of C formed on the catalyst during steam reforming without any decrease in the reaction rate. Air addition reduced the energy consumed by the reaction and markedly reduced the C deposited in the catalyst.