Nickel (Ni) Catalyst – A Key Enabler for Steam Reforming and Syngas Production
At
B.F.S, we supply high-performance
Nickel-based catalysts engineered specifically for
steam reforming applications, enabling efficient and economical production of
syngas (H₂ + CO) from hydrocarbons such as natural gas, naphtha, and biogas.
🔬 Overview of Steam Reforming with Ni Catalysts
Steam reforming is a crucial industrial process where hydrocarbons react with steam at high temperatures (700–1100°C) in the presence of a catalyst to produce
syngas, the feedstock for:
- Ammonia synthesis
- Methanol production
- Hydrogen fuel
- Fischer-Tropsch processes
Nickel (Ni) is the
most widely used catalyst in steam reforming due to its
high activity,
low cost compared to noble metals, and
excellent selectivity for H₂ formation.
⚗️ Nickel Catalyst Mechanism
Nickel catalyzes the breaking of
C-H and
C-C bonds in hydrocarbons and activates
H₂O molecules to facilitate hydrogen release. The Ni surface provides sites for the
reforming,
shift, and
methanation reactions under controlled conditions.
🔍 Key Properties of Ni Catalysts from B.F.S
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|
| High Metal Dispersion | Increased catalytic surface area |
| Strong Support Interaction | Reduced sintering and longer lifespan |
| Thermal Resistance | Stable up to 1100°C |
| Sulfur-Resistant Grades | Extended performance in sour feeds |
| Optimized Pore Structure | Enhanced gas diffusion and heat management |
🔩 Support Materials and Formulations
Nickel is typically supported on:
- Al₂O₃ (Alumina)
- MgAl₂O₄ (Spinel)
- SiO₂
- ZrO₂
B.F.S offers customized
Ni loading levels (5–30 wt%), surface morphologies, and
pre-reduced or oxide forms, depending on process needs.
🏭 Applications of Ni Reforming Catalysts
- Hydrogen generation plants
- Methanol and ammonia units
- Fuel processing for PEM fuel cells
- Biogas-to-syngas upgrade
- Fischer–Tropsch synthesis feed preparation
📦 Product Grades from B.F.S
| Product Code | Ni Loading | Support | Use Case |
|---|
| BFS-NiSR-10 | 10% | Al₂O₃ | Light hydrocarbons |
| BFS-NiSR-20S | 20% | Spinel | High-temperature, sulfur resistance |
| BFS-NiSR-RD | 15% | Al₂O₃-ZrO₂ | Pre-reduced for fast start-up |
All catalysts are
extruded,
pelletized, or
granular, tailored for
fixed-bed and tubular reformers.
🧯 Durability & Regeneration
Nickel catalysts from B.F.S are engineered to resist:
- Carbon deposition (coking)
- Metal sintering
- Support degradation
They can be
regenerated thermally or
chemically, extending operational life.
🌱 Sustainable Innovation
Nickel-catalyzed steam reforming supports the
hydrogen economy,
clean fuels, and
low-carbon industry by producing
CO₂-neutral syngas when fed with
biogas or renewable methane.
