Abstract: NiO catalysts for methane-steam reforming were investigated by temperature programmedr eduction (TPR) and X-ray diffraction techniques. The peak temperatures of reduction on the TPR curve as determined in N₂-H₂ (6.3% H₂) were: 415℃ for NiO-A₁, 430℃ for NiO-A₂, 378℃ for NiO-Y₂O₃-A₁, 372℃ for NiO-RE₂O₃-A₁ and 478℃ for RE₂O₃-NiO-A₁. Carrier At is found to be superior to A₂. Catalysts modified by heavy rare-earth oxides have the lowest peak temperature of reduction, and hence they are more effective in the entrance region of the reforming furnace, where the reaction temperature is 360-550℃. The mechanism of addition of rare earth oxides on the behaviour of the catalysts are briefly discussed.

Key words: Methane-steam rcforming, Ni-catalysts, Rare-earth oxides