Stabilized high-surface area nickel catalyst

摘要

Naphtha containing mainly C5 to C8 paraffins is steam reformed at 600-925 DEG F. to yield methane in the presence of a solid Ni-SiO2 catalyst having a Ni surface area of 45-60 m2/gm. and total surface area of 225-300 m2/gm. which has been prepared by precipitating nickel and silicate ions from solution as nickel hydrosilicate on to porous SiO2 particles such that the activated catalyst contains 25-50% Ni, and of its total SiO2 content 30-90% is derived from the precipitated silicate ions, the catalyst having been activated by calcining in air the particles of porous silica with its deposit of nickel hydrosilicate at 600-900 DEG F., and then reducing with hydrogen at a similar temperature. Examples describe the preparation of gas containing 58% CH4, 20% H2, 22% CO2 and a minor amount of CO, the calorific value of which is 818 B.Th.U./S.C.F.ALSO:A solid Ni-SiO2 catalyst having a Ni surface area of 45-60m2/gm. and total surface area of 225-300m2/gm. is prepared by precipitating nickel and silicate ions from solution as nickel hydrosilicate onto porous silica particles such that the activated catalyst contains 25-50% Ni, and of its total SiO2 content 30-90% is derived from the precipitated silicate ions, the catalyst being activated by calcining in air the particles of porous silica with its deposit of nickel hydrosilicate at 600-900 DEG F., and then reducing with hydrogen the resulting calcined solids at 600-900 DEG F. The source of silicate anion may be alkali silicates, silicic acid or hydrolysed SiH4. Additionally the catalyst may contain Al2O3, SiO2 Al2O3 and zeolites.