Partial oxidation of methane to syngas with or without simultaneous CO₂ and steam reforming reactions over Ni/AlPO₄

Abstract

The oxidative conversion of methane by O₂ to CO and H₂ (i.e. syngas) over NiO supported on microporous aluminophosphate (ALPO-5) in the presence or absence of simultaneously occurring CO₂ and steam reforming reactions of methane has been investigated. During the catalytic reactions, the NiO/ALPO-5 is transformed into Ni⁰/AlPO₄ (tridymite). The catalyst shows high activity and selectivity, particularly at high temperatures (>1073 K), in the oxidative conversion of methane to syngas and also in the exothermic oxidative conversion that occurs simultaneously with the endothermic CO₂ and steam reforming of methane. In the latter case, the overall catalytic process can be made almost thermoneutral, requiring little or no external energy. The process also occurs in a most energy efficient and safe manner.