Effect of Cerium loading on Stability of Ni-bimetallic/ZrO2 Mixed Oxide Catalysts for CO Methanation to Produce Natural Gas

All the $Ni-Co-Ce-ZrO_2$ mixed oxides are prepared by co-precipitations methods. Methanation of CO and $H_2$ reaction is screened tested over different fractions of cerium (2, 4, 7 and 12 wt.%) over $Ni-Co/ZrO_2$ bimetallic catalysts are investigated. The mixed oxides are characterized by XRD, CO-Chemisorption, TGA and screened methanation of CO and $H_2$ at $360^{\circ}C$ for 3000 min on stream at typical ratio $CO:H_2=1:1$. In $Ni-Co/CeZrO_2$ series 2 wt.% Ce loading catalyst shows most promising catalyst for $CH_4$ selectivity than $CO_2$, which directs more stability with less coke formation. The high activity is attributed to the better bimetallic synergy and the well-developed crystalline phases of NiO, $ZrO_2$ and $Ce-ZrO_2$. Other bimetallic mixed oxides NCoZ, $NCoC^{4-12}Z$ has faster deactivation with low methanation activity. Finally, 2 wt.% Ce loading catalyst was found to be optimal coke resistant catalyst.