Ni catalysts for sorption enhanced steam methane reforming

Sorption enhanced steam methane reforming (SESMR) is a process for H2 production at low temperatures. The process requires an active and stable catalyst. For this purpose, a series of hydrotalcite-like catalysts (HT) with different Ni loadings have been prepared by a co-precipitation technique and compared with catalysts prepared by conventional incipient wetness impregnation. The co-precipitation route resulted in a stronger interaction between the support and nickel than the incipient wetness route. As a result, smaller Ni crystals with excellent stability and high activity for steam reforming of methane were obtained, even at high loadings. 40 wt% Ni/HT was found to be the most promising candidate for application in SESMR.