Packed and monolithic reactors for the dry reforming of methane: Ni supported on γ-Al2O3 promoted by Ru

The Dry reforming of methane (DRM) is as an efficient way for CH4 and CO2 valorisation because the produced syn-gas has an H2/CO ratio equal to that suitable for the synthesis of oxygenated hydrocarbons and synthetic fuels. The development of Ni (10 wt%) based structured and unstructured catalysts promoted by a small amount of Ru (0.5 wt%) has been investigated. Unstructured catalysts were prepared by wet impregnation method and a combination of wash coating-wet impregnation methods was used for cordierite monoliths. Ru promoted catalyst (Ni–Ru) was remarkable active showing higher reactant conversions and H2/CO ratio compared with Ni catalyst. Ni–Ru monolith was initially much more active than monometallic Ni stating the positive effect of Ru on maintaining Ni reduced. Reaching steady state condition, Ni rapidly deactivated due to carbon formation, whereas Ni–Ru monolith remained stable confirming that Ru behaves as an efficient and cheap promoter of Ni for DRM