CONVERSION OF NATURAL GAS TO SYNTHESIS GAS USING NICKEL CATALYST

摘要

A process is described for converting gaseous loweralkanes, e.g. methane, into synthesis gas. In the process, amixture of the alkanes and oxygen is subjected to partialoxidation in a reaction zone in the presence of a catalystcomprising a mesoporous aluminosilicate solid catalyst havingthe structure of MCM-41 with a silica-to-alumina ratio ofabout 5:1 to 1000:1 pore diameters of at least 5 .ANG. and anickel loading of about 5- 20% by weight. This provides ahigh level of conversion of the alkanes as well as a highselectivity to formation of carbon monoxide and hydrogen.