Partial oxidation of ethane to syngas over nickel‐based catalysts modified by alkali metal oxide and rare earth metal oxide

The catalytic activity, thermal stability and carbon deposition of various modified NiO/γ‐Al2O3 and unmodified NiO/γ‐Al2O3 catalysts were investigated with a flow reactor, XRD, TG and UVRRS analysis. The activity and selectivity of the NiO/γ‐Al2O3 catalyst showed little difference from those of the modified nickel‐based catalysts. However, modification with alkali metal oxide (Li, Na, K) and rare earth metal oxide (La, Ce, Y, Sm) can improve the thermal stability of the NiO/γ‐Al2O3 and enhance its ability to suppress carbon deposition during the partial oxidation of ethane (POE). The carbon deposition contains graphite‐like species that were detected by UVRRS. The nickel‐based catalysts modified by alkali metal oxide and rare earth metal oxide have excellent catalytic activities (C2H6 conversion of ~100%, CO selectivity of ~94%, 7 × 104 l/(kg h), 1123 K), good thermal stability and carbon‐deposition resistance.