Autothermal Reforming of Propane on Ni-Supported Perovskite, Hydrotalcite, and Metal Oxide Catalysts

This study evaluated the autotherrmal reforming of propane over Ni-supported perovskite (LaAlO₃), hydrotalcite as a layered structure (MgAl), and metal oxide (α-Al₂O₃), ZrO₂ catalysts. The catalysts were also characterized via physicochemical property analysis, XRD, SEM, TEM, and TPR. The order of catalytic activity was ZrO₂ ≥LaAlO₃ > Al₂O₃ ≫ MgAl, and coincided with the reducibility of these catalysts to reduce the Ni²⁺ metallic ion of the NiO, as measured via TPR. Finally the reducility of Ni in the form of NiO was important to the reaction in the ATR process. The diffraction peak of Ni was observed after a 600 °C reduction in ZrO₂, LaAlO₃, and α-Al₂O₃.