Preparation of Ni/Al2O3–ZrO2 catalysts and their application to hydrogen production by steam reforming of LNG: Effect of ZrO2 content grafted on Al2O3

Al2O3–ZrO2 supports with various zirconium contents were prepared by grafting a trichelated zirconium precursor (Zr(OBu)(CH3COCHCOCH3)3) on the surface of γ-Al2O3. Ni/Al2O3–ZrO2 catalysts were then prepared by an impregnation method, and were applied to hydrogen production by steam reforming of liquefied natural gas (LNG). The effect of ZrO2 content grafted on γ-Al2O3 on the catalytic performance of Ni/Al2O3–ZrO2 catalysts was investigated. Al2O3–ZrO2 prepared by a grafting method served as an efficient support for the nickel catalyst in the steam reforming of LNG. Both LNG conversion and H2 composition in dry gas over Ni/Al2O3–ZrO2 catalysts showed maximum values at a certain level of zirconium content. Among the catalysts tested, Ni/Al2O3–ZrO2 (Zr/Al = 0.04) catalyst showed the best catalytic performance.