Partial oxidation of methane over Ni/SiO2

Ni catalyst (Ni: 15 wt%) supported on precalcined SiO2 has been investigated in reforming reactions of methane to synthesis gas. The catalyst exhibited fairly good activity and stability in partial oxidation of methane (POM), whereas it deactivated in steam reforming of methane (SRM). Pulse reaction results of CH4, O-2, and CH4/O-2 revealed that Ni/SiO2 has high capability to dissociate methane. The results also revealed that both CH4 and O-2 are activated on the surface of metallic Ni, and then surface carbon species react with adsorbed oxygen to produce CO and CO2 depending on the bond strength of the oxygen species on the catalyst surface.