Effect of NH3 Alkalization and MgO Promotion on the Performance of Ni/SBA-15 Catalyst in Combined Steam and Carbon Dioxide Reforming of Methane

In this work, 31.4 wt.% Ni/SBA-15 (Ni/SBA-15) nonpromoted and alkalized with ammonia solution and by MgO promoter catalysts were prepared and used for combined steam and CO2 reforming of CH4 (bireforming). Effect of concentration of ammonia solution (NH3(aq)) (10-25 vol.%) and Mg content (3-12 wt.%) on the properties of the Ni/SBA-15 catalysts was investigated by low-angle and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), N-2-BET isothermal adsorption, SEM, TEM, EDS mapping, H-2-TPR, and CO2-TPD methods. The performance of the catalysts in bireforming was assessed in the temperature range of 550-800 degrees C. The enhancement of dispersion of NiO particles, reducibility, and basicity of alkalized Ni/SBA-15 catalysts were responsible for improving the catalytic performance of this catalyst. The results revealed that the Ni/SBA-15 treated with 15-25% NH3(aq) solution and promoted with 3-9% Mg exhibited high activity for CH4 conversion. Meanwhile, Ni6Mg/SBA-15 showed the highest CO2 conversion. Among tested catalysts, Ni/SBA-15-20NH(3) and Ni9Mg/SBA-15 samples had an almost equal activity with a CH4 conversion of nearly 97% and a CO2 conversion of about 84% at 700 degrees C thanks to its moderate affinity with both CO2 and CH4. However, the H-2/CO ratio of the product mixture remained at 2.02 on the Ni/SBA-15-20NH(3) catalyst and almost 1 on the Ni9Mg/SBA-15 sample. These results might be related to the fact that the alkalization of the Ni/SBA-15 catalyst by NH3(aq) solution had an advantage over using MgO because side reactions were unlikely to occur.