Ethylene glycol dry reforming on Ni/Al2O3 catalyst for syngas generation

It is the first time ethylene glycol dry reforming (EGDR) reaction was carried out for syngas production on 10%Ni/Al₂O₃ catalyst in a tubular fixed-bed reactor at atmospheric condition. Wet-impregnation method was employed for the synthesis of 10%Ni/Al₂O₃ catalyst. The results of X-ray diffraction measurement revealed the presence of γ-Al₂O₃, NiO, NiAl₂O₄, Ni⁰ and graphitic carbon phases on the surface of spent 10%Ni/Al₂O₃ catalyst. H₂ temperature-programmed reduction indicates that NiO and NiAl₂O₄ phases were totally reduced to metallic nickel phase at reduction temperature above 970 K. EGDR activity appeared to be steady with time-on-stream beyond 5-7 h. Catalytic activity was considerably improved with increasing feed ratio of CO₂:C₂H₆O₂ from 1:1 to 2.5:1. (paper)