Valuation of catalytic activity of nickel-zirconia-based catalysts using lanthanum co-support for dry reforming of methane

The improvement of hydrogen concentration in the obtained syngas during methane dry reforming is strongly demanded. Additionally, enhancement of CO2 and CH4 conversions has been of high preference. In line with these aims, this research work studies the impact of incorporating lanthanum metal either as a catalytic promoter or as a cosupport, on the efficiency of the reforming process. Two percentages namely 2.5 and 5 wt% were added to a catalyst composed of Ni(10%)-Zr(90%). Thus, four catalytic composites for methane dry reforming were produced. The prepared composites were characterized using XRD, N-2-physisorption, HR-TEM, TPR, and Raman spectrometer. The catalytic performance and H-2/CO ratio were deteriorated as a result of using lanthanum as a promoter, when compared to the nonpromoted zirconia-supported Ni catalyst. However, using La as a cosupport showed a strong positive effect on reactants' conversions, the resultant H-2/CO ratio and H-2 yield%. The most active catalyst in this work was Ni/5La-ZrO2 catalyst; it showed 73% of hydrogen yield and syngas with H-2/CO molar ratio of 1.61 which can be used as feed gas in the Fischer-Tropsch process for the production petroleum distillates.