A novel catalytic process for SNG synthesis

The catalyst supports were studied for the reaction C₃H₈ → 2CH₄ + C (reaction 1). Neutral SiO₂ and α-Al₂O₃ were found suitable while the acidic SiO₂-Al₂O₃ support significantly reduced the activity of Ni catalyst. The catalyst was diluted by various materials to avoid its blocking up by carbon deposition. Some diluting materials affected the conversion. α-Alumina and basic MgO accelerated the reaction which may be due to the interaction between nickel and diluting materials through direct contact. Over Ni/SiO₂, the reaction 1 showed 90% selectivity, so that the produced synthetic natural gas always contained H₂ formed in the reaction C₃H₈ → 3C + 4H₂.