Activation of metallic open-cell foams via washcoat deposition of Ni/MgAl2O4 catalysts for steam reforming reaction

Preparation of active washcoats of Ni/MgAl2O4 steam-reforming catalysts on FeCrAlloy foams is reported in this work. The MgAl2O4 powdered support was prepared via co-precipitation method, and Ni/MgAl2O4 was obtained via dry impregnation of 10% (w/w) of Ni. After full characterization of the powders, the deposition of the catalyst over the foams was performed by percolation followed by air-blowing (percolation-blowing). The resulting washcoat layers were quite homogeneous, uniform, and well adherent to the metallic support. Prototype catalytic foam samples, tested at the lab-scale, were found to be active in the steam reforming process.