Method of preparing Rh- and/or Ru-catalyst supported on MgO carrier and reforming process using the catalyst

This invention relates to a method of preparing a catalyst containing Rh and/or Ru supported on a MgO carrier and to a process of producing a synthesis gas. A method of preparing a catalyst, including molding a mixture of magnesium oxide with a binder selected from carbon, fatty acids having 12-22 carbon atoms, magnesium salts of fatty acids having 12-22 carbon atoms, carboxymethyl cellulose, a magnesium salt of carboxymethyl cellulose and polyvinyl alcohol and calcining the molded mixture to obtain a carrier having a specific surface area of 5 m/g of less. The carrier is impregnated with an aqueous solution containing Rh and/or Ru compounds for loading a catalytic metal component and then dried and calcined. The catalyst is used for reforming a lower hydrocarbon gas with steam and carbon dioxide or with carbon dioxide to produce a synthesis gas.