Structure and Activity of NiO/ɑ-Al_2O_3 and NiO/ZrO_2 Calcined at High Temperatures II. Activity in the Fuel-Rich Oxidation of Methane

Abstract

The activity of NiO/α-Al_2O_3 and NiO/ZrO_2 in the fuel-rich oxidation of methane was measured as a function of time-on-stream for different initial calcination temperatures and for different reduction-reoxidation treatments. The activity was found to decrease substantially with increasing temperature of calcination. However, the activity of the calcined catalysts increased sharply following reduction in H_2 prior to reaction. The changes in total activity are discussed in terms of changes in surface area and specific activity, the latter being the dominant factor. The change in specific activity is discussed in terms of changes in the content of excess oxygen.

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