(514c) Mo2C Supported NiMo Alloys for Synthesis Gas Production Via Partial Oxidation of Surrogate Biodiesel

We have synthesized supported NiMo alloy on Mo₂C demonstrating the synergistic effect of combining Ni and Mo₂C for the partial oxidation of methyl oleate. Both calcination temperature and the carburization process play a crucial role in determining the final Ni phase over the Mo₂C surface. The lower calcination temperature of 400⁰C leads to the formation of metallic Ni, where as higher calcination temperature of 500⁰C leads to the formation of NiMo solid solution. During the carburization, metallic Ni converts to δ-NiMo alloy in the case of catalyst I, where as in the case of catalyst II, the NiMo solid solution maintains its phase. Regardless of the calcination temperature used, enhanced initial performance in terms of H₂ and CO yields was observed, compared to that of pure Ni and pure Mo₂C. Both δ-NiMo alloy and NiMo solid solution seem to be catalytically active for methane reforming as neither catalyst I nor catalyst II show any presence of methane in the product stream. However, the carbon conversion only increases when δ-NiMo alloy is present over Mo₂C. Thus, δ-NiMo alloy seems to be more active in terms of reforming of methyl oleate than does NiMo solid solution. Over 24 hours time-on-stream catalyst I maintains its high performance without coking. On the other hand, Mo₂C without the dispersed δ-NiMo alloy shows a stable performance only for the first 10 h. The introduction of δ-NiMo alloy to the Mo₂C surface enhances H₂ yield and carbon conversion as well as improves its long-term stability.