Influence of nickel distribution on properties of spherical catalysts for partial oxidation of methane to synthesis gas

Two kinds of Ni/Al₂O₃ catalysts, i.e., eggshell and uniform catalysts, were prepared by impregnation method using acetone and water solution of nickel nitrate, respectively, and their properties were investigated by means of EDS, XRD and TPR. Their catalytic performance in methane partial oxidation (POM) to synthesis gas was also evaluated. Because the partial oxidation of methane is a very fast reaction, the intra-particle diffusion was very remarkable. Due to nickel component distributing in the outer region of particles, the eggshell catalyst had higher effectiveness factor, which resulted in its better catalytic performance than the uniform one.