A plate-type metal-monolithic anodic alumina supported nickel catalyst (Ni/Al 2 O 3 /Alloy) was employed to investigate the reactivity and the catalyst deactivation in the SMR reaction, and several methods of activation treatments were proposed. After H 2 reduction, a fresh Ni/Al 2 O 3 /Alloy catalyst only provided a short-term SMR activity, and then quickly deactivated. The oxidation of metallic nickel with steam into oxidation state was believed to be the most serious reason for the catalyst deactivation. After the second H 2 reduction, a deactivated catalyst (or a catalyst with the treatments of H 2 reduction and subsequent air oxidation) was observed to provide a more favorable SMR stability, compared a reduced fresh catalyst.