Energy efficient conversion of methane to syngas over NiO-MgO solid solution

Methane-to-CO and H2 conversion reactions, involving partial oxidation by 02, oxy-steam reforming, oxy-CO2 reforming, C02 reforming, simultaneous steam and C02 reforming, over a NiO-MgO solid solution (Ni/Mg == 0.5) have been investigated. The calcination (up to 1200°C) temperature of the catalyst has a small but significant effect on its activity/selectivity in the oxidative conversion of methane to syngas. The reduction (by H2) temperature of the catalyst has no significant effect on the catalystʹs performance. The catalyst shows high activity and selectivity in the oxy-steam reforming and oxy-C02 reforming reactions, at 800850°C and high space velocity [(40-50) x 103 cm3 g 1 h1]. These two processes involve coupling of the exothermic oxidative conversion and endothermic steam or 002 reforming reactions, making both the processes highly energy efficient and also safe to operate. The catalyst also shows high methane conversion activity (nearly 95% conversion) with 100% selectivity for both CO and H2 in the simultaneous steam and C02 reforming of methane at (800-8 50° C) at a high space velocity (3.6x 103 cm3 g 1 h 1).