Abstract: Heterocyclic and O-substituted aromatic species, for example those obtained as a by product of coal gasification, may be gasified by reaction with steam in the presence of a nickel-alumina containing catalyst to produce methane-containing gases. The reforming reaction is carried out at temperatures of not greater than 500.degree. C.

Abstract: Silicon containing methanation catalysts e.g. those prepared by coprecipitation techniques, may be stabilized to prevent leaching of silicon species by a hydrothermal treatment comprising heating the reduced catalyst in a steam reducing gas atmosphere, lowering the temperature until liquid water species condense out, reheating to evaporate the condensed water and passivation in a mildly oxidizing atmosphere.

Abstract: A catalyst composition, suitable for steam reforming or methanation reactions, comprising a Feitknecht compound intermixed with or interstratified with and bonded with phyllosilicate layers of a clay mineral such as kaolin or benotonite. Conventional catalyst formulations can be modified so as produced catalysts have good dispersion of the catalytic sites.

Abstract: Methane-containing gases are produced by passing a hydrocarbon feedstock having a boiling point of not greater than 350.degree. C. and steam over a catalyst at an elevated pressure and at a temperature of from 350.degree. C. to 550.degree. C. at the inlet of the catalyst and an exit of temperature of at least 450.degree. C., the catalyst comprising a reduced catalyst precursor which is resistant to deactivation by polymer formation or by sintering, the catalyst precursor containing (1) from 0 to not more than 0.43% K and from 0 to not more than 0.1% Na, (2) the combined weights of Na+ K does not exceed 0.011 gm atoms/100 gm of catalyst precursor, (3) the ratio of Na:K falls within the area defined by ABCDEO in FIG. 1 of the drawings, and (3) at combined Na+ K weights of from 0 to 0.05% the water loss is not more than 11.2%.

Abstract: Methane-containing gases are produced by the catalytic-stream-reforming of hydrocarbon feedstocks using a catalyst which includes a Group VIII metal such as nickel and alumina, and which in its calcined but unreduced precursor form has a pore size distribution defined as follows:(i) at least 55% of the pore volume of pores having a pore radius between 12 and 120 Angstrom Units is in the range of 12-30 Angstrom Units, and(ii) the ratio of the pore volume contained in pores of 10-50 A to the pore volume contained in pores 50-300 A is at least 5:1.

Abstract: A catalyst precursor which when reduced can produce a catalyst suitable for the high pressure gasification of heavy hydrocarbons to produce methane-containing gases comprises a calcined coprecipitated-alumina containing from 50-65% Ni precursor. The catalyst contains (1) from 0 to not more than 0.43% K and from 0 to not more than 0.1% Na, (2) the combined weights of Na+K does not exceed 0.011 gm atoms/100 gm of catalyst, precursor (3) the ratio of Na: K falls within the area defined by ABCDEO in FIG. 1 of the drawings and (3) at combined Na+K weights of from 0 to 0.05% the water loss is not more than 11.2%.The catalyst precursors are prepared with the aid of a filtering aid selected from (NH.sub.4).sub.2 CO.sub.3, Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3, K.sub.2 CO.sub.3, Na NO.sub.3 or K NO.sub.3 to obtain low levels of alkali. The final catalyst may be employed for steam reforming reactions to produce methane-containing gases.

Abstract: Steam reforming catalyst having good sinter and polymer resistance and which include a Group VIII metal such as nickel and alumina, have in their calcined but unreduced precursor form pore size distributions defined in the following relationships:(i) at least 55% of the pore volume of pores having a pore radius between 12 and 120 Angstrom Units is in the range 12-30 Angstrom Units, and(ii) the ratio of the pore volume contained in pores of 10-50 A to the pore volume contained in pores of 50-300 A is at least 5:1.These catalysts are prepared by coprecipitation at temperatures of not greater than 60.degree. C. wherein a solution of an alkali precipitating agent is added to a solution of the catalytic components.

Abstract: A catalyst suitable for the high pressure gasification of heavy hydrocarbons to produce methane-containing gases is a calcined coprecipitated-alumina containing from 50- 65% Ni on a calcined unreduced basis. The catalyst contains (1) from 0 to not more than 0.43% K and from 0 to not more than 0.1% Na, (2) the combined weights of Na+ K does not exceed 0.011 gm atoms/100 gm of catalyst, (3) the ratio of Na:K falls within the area defined by ABCDEO in FIG. 1 of the drawings and (3) at combined Na+ K weights of from 0 to 0.05% the water loss is not more than 11.2%.The catalysts are prepared with the aid of a filtering aid selected from (NH.sub.4).sub.2 CO.sub.3, Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3, K.sub.2 CO.sub.3, Na NO.sub.3 or K NO.sub.3 to obtain low levels of alkali in the precursor. The catalyst may be employed for steam reforming reactions to produce methane-containing gases.