OPTIMIZATION OF THE PREPARATION PROCEDURE OF NI/AL2O3 CATALYST FOR STEAM REFORMING OF N-BUTANE

Performance of Ni/Al₂O₃ catalysts (10 wt.% Ni) in steam reforming of n-butane was investigated in terms of n-butane conversion, selectivity to hydrogen, and hydrogen yield. The catalysts were prepared by the precipitation-sedimentation method at different precipitation, drying and calcination temperatures as well as precursors. Synthesized catalysts were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and BET analyses. Mathematical predictive formulas were generated for responses by Design Expert software. Also, the optimum condition of the catalyst preparation was obtained by using the response surface methodology (RSM). Ultimately, it was concluded that Ni- Nitrate as the precursor was the most favorable and the overall optimum condition were: T_{precipitation}=30oC, T_drying=115^oC, and T_calcination=700^oC