TEMPERATURE PROGRAMMED CHARACTERIZATION OF SPENT SYNGAS CATALYSTS (NiO/MgOAl203)

This research project is conducted to determine the properties of fresh and spent NiO/
MgOAl203, which is syn gas catalyst by using temperature programmed method. The
main deactivation process on syngas catalyst is coke deposition, which can be observed
on the spent catalyst. The scope of study includes a thorough literature research onnickel
based catalyst for steam reforming from various sources ofjournals through internet and
books.
The temperature programmed method including Temperature Programmed Reduction
(TPR) and Temperature Programmed Oxidation (TPO). The author has utilized several
methods such as TPR, TPO, SEM/EDX and FTIR, which led to significant findings in
this area of study.
For TPR result, there are three reduction peaks for fresh catalyst (230°C, 445°C and 605
°C) and four reduction peaks for spent catalyst (200°C, 460°C, 530°C and 800°C). From
FTIR analysis, the functional groups onfresh and spent catalyst have been identified. The
-OH functional group is identified in fresh and spent catalyst but nitrate group only found
in fresh catalyst. EDX result show loss in nickel content for spent catalyst compare to
fresh catalyst. This loss is due to sintering of catalyst. Two sets of regeneration procedure
has been design; regeneration at 400°C and 600°C, both in oxygen atmosphere.