Catalyst for hydrocarbon reforming and method of reforming hydrocarbon with the same

Abstract

The present invention provides a catalyst suitably employed in a variety of hydrocarbon reforming processes and a hydrocarbon reforming process including employing the catalyst in production of hydrogen or synthesis gas. The hydrocarbon reforming catalyst of the present invention contains an alumina carrier containing cerium oxide and, carried on the carrier, component (a), component (b), and optional component (c), the component (a) being at least one platinum group element selected from among ruthenium, platinum, rhodium, palladium, and iridium; the component (b) being cobalt and/or nickel, the component (c) being an alkaline earth metal. When steam reforming, autothermal reforming, partial-oxidation reforming, or carbon dioxide reforming of hydrocarbons is performed through employment of the catalyst, hydrogen or synthesis gas can be produced.

1 - 14 . (canceled)  
   
   
       15 . A hydrocarbon reforming catalyst comprising a crystalline alumina carrier comprising cerium oxide and, carried on the carrier, a component (a) and a component (b), wherein the component (a) comprises at least one element selected from the group consisting of ruthenium and rhodium and component (b) comprises cobalt.  
   
   
       16 . The hydrocarbon reforming catalyst of  claim 15 , further comprising a component (c) carried on the carrier, wherein the component (c) comprises an alkaline earth metal.  
   
   
       17 . The hydrocarbon reforming catalyst of  claim 16 , wherein the component (c) is carried on the carrier in a metal amount of from 1 to 20 wt. % based on the entire weight of the catalyst.  
   
   
       18 . The hydrocarbon reforming catalyst of  claim 15 , wherein the crystalline alumina carrier comprising cerium oxide comprises cerium oxide in an amount of from 5 to 40 wt. % and alumina in an amount of from 60 to 95 wt. %.  
   
   
       19 . The hydrocarbon reforming catalyst of  claim 15 , wherein the component (a) is carried on the carrier in a metal amount of from 0.1 to 8 wt. % based on the entire weight of the catalyst.  
   
   
       20 . The hydrocarbon reforming catalyst of  claim 15 , wherein the component (b) is carried on the carrier in a metal amount of from 0.1 to 20 wt. % based on the entire weight of the catalyst.  
   
   
       21 . The hydrocarbon reforming catalyst of  claim 15 , wherein the hydrocarbon reforming is selected from the group consisting of steam reforming of hydrocarbons, autothermal reforming of hydrocarbons, partial-oxidation reforming of hydrocarbons, and carbon dioxide reforming of hydrocarbons.  
   
   
       22 . The hydrocarbon reforming catalyst of  claim 22 , wherein the hydrocarbon reforming comprises steam reforming of hydrocarbons.  
   
   
       23 . The hydrocarbon reforming catalyst of  claim 15 , wherein the component (a) comprises ruthenium.