Partial oxidation of methane over nickel- and cobalt-based catalysts

Co- and Ni-based catalysts were tested for the partial oxidation of methane to syngas at 600-900 degrees C. Cobalt catalysts were active for combustion of CH4 to CO2 but showed a low selectivity to CO and H-2, unless promoted with elements which favoured Co reducibility. A Ni/Al2O3 catalyst was selected as an active and selective material for a mechanistic study. A two-step process was proposed, leading to a detailed description of the catalytic bed under reaction conditions.