Combined H2O and CO2 reforming of CH4 over nano-sized Ni/MgO-Al2O3 catalysts for synthesis gas production for gas to liquid (GTL): Effect of Mg/Al mixed ratio on coke formation

Nano-sized Ni catalysts were prepared by using MgO-Al2O3 mixed oxides from hydrotalcite-like structure as a support. The property of support was controlled with various Mg/Al mixed ratio to enhance coke resistance in combined H2O and CO2 reforming of CH4 (CSCRM) to produce synthesis gas (H2/CO = 2) for gas to liquid (GTL). 12% Ni/MgO-Al2O3 catalyst with Mg/Al of 0.5 shows the highest activity in CSCRM due to high coke resistance, resulting from nano-sized Ni particles strongly interacting with the support.