Abstract
Reforming of methane with carbon dioxide has recently received an increasing interest since it has significant environmental implications in view of the fact that both methane and carbon dioxide are greenhouse gases which have significant contribution on the global warming problem. A series of Ni loading 5, 8 and 11% catalysts supported on gamma-Al(2)O(3) and MgO were prepared by the incipient wetness impregnation method Their catalytic properties for the dry reforming of methane were studied experimentally. The fresh and spent catalysts and deposited carbon were characterized by means of EDX, SEM, BET and TGA. The combined characterization and catalyst performance tests results reveal that Ni//gamma-Al(2)O(3) provide better catalytic activity than Ni/MgO. But lower stability is due to higher catalyst deactivation rate. Using the 5 wt % Ni/MgO catalyst, at 500 degrees C reaction temperature, the conversions of CH(4) and CO(2) were 11.2 and 18.4% respectively. While at 800 degrees C, the conversions of CH(4) and CO(2) were 81.7 and 91.8% respectively. On the other hand, when 5 wt %Ni /gamma-Al(2)O(3) catalyst was used, at 500 degrees C reaction temperature, the conversions of CH(4) and CO(2) were 15.8 and 24.3% respectively. While at 800 degrees C, the conversions of CH(4) and CO(2) were 91.1 and 92.5% respectively. Ni//gamma-Al(2)O(3) catalyst is found in sensitive to the amounts of the Ni loading. Alternatively, for all temperatures the Ni/MgO catalyst is improved by the increasing the amounts of Ni loading. Both supports demonstrated the formation of filamentous coke on the surface of the catalyst and formed carbon nanofibers seem almost identical.