Pre-reforming of propane was studied over an industrial nickel-chromium catalyst under pressures of 1 and 5 bar, at a low steam to carbon molar ratio of 1, in the temperature range of 220–380 °C and at flow rates of 4000 and 12,000 h−1. It was shown that propane conversion proceeded more efficiently at low pressure (1 atm) and temperatures above 350 °C. A genetic algorithm was applied to search for kinetic parameters better fitting experimental results in such a wide range of experimental conditions. Power law and Langmuir–Hinshelwood kinetics were considered. It was shown that only Langmuir–Hinshelwood type kinetics correctly described the experimental data and could be used to simulate the process of propane pre-reforming and predict propane conversion under the given reaction conditions. The significance of Langmuir–Hinshelwood kinetics increases under high pressure and temperatures below 350 °C.

Efficient capture and recycling of CO enable not only prevention of global warming but also the supply of useful low-carbon fuels. The catalytic conversion of CO into an organic compound is a promising recycling approach which opens new concepts and opportunities for catalytic and industrial development. Here we report about template-assisted wet-combustion synthesis of a one-dimensional nickel-based catalyst for carbon dioxide methanation and methane steam reforming. Because of a high temperature achieved in a short time during reaction and a large amount of evolved gases, the wet-combustion synthesis yields homogeneously precipitated nanoparticles of NiO with average particle size of 4 nm on alumina nanofibers covered with a NiAlO nanolayer. The as-synthesized core-shell structured fibers exhibit outstanding activity in steam reforming of methane and sufficient activity in carbon dioxide methanation with 100% selectivity toward methane formation. The as-synthesized catalyst shows stable operation under the reaction conditions for at least 50 h.

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