Abstract: This invention discloses a high temperature stable, supported, non-noble metal catalyst, represented by a general formula: NiCoaCebMgcYdOx(y)/S, wherein S is a low surface area, macroporous, highly sintered, solid support comprising zirconium and hafnium oxides with less than 3 wt % silica and/or alumina having a surface area less than 1.0 m2/g and pore diameter greater than 0.1 micron, in the form of pellet, ring, monolith or granules; a is from 0.01 to 10; b is from 0.001 to 10; c is from 0.001 to 10; d is from 0.005 to 5; x is number of oxygen atoms required to fulfill the valance requirement of the metallic elements; and y is weight percent loading of the active catalyst mass, on the support, S, in the range from 0.7% to 70%. The invention also discloses a process for the partial oxidation of hydrocarbon(s) to syngas using the thermally stable catalyst.

Abstract: A process for catalytic conversion of methane or natural gas to syngas using a supported catalyst containing oxides of nickel and cobalt with of without noble metals. Efficiency of the catalytic process is increased by simultaneously carrying out an exothermic oxidation reaction and an endothermic steam and carbon dioxide reforming reaction over the supported catalyst. The catalyst is prepared by depositing oxides of nickel and cobalt, with or without noble metals, on a sintered low surface area porous inert support. Surface of the support is precoated with an oxide of Be, Mg, Ca or a mixture thereof so that a protective layer of alkaline earth oxide is formed between the oxides of nickel and cobalt and the support, and hence, direct chemical interactions between the oxides of nickel and cobalt and reactive components of the support, which leads to formation of catalytically inactive binary oxide phases, are avoided.

Abstract: A supported catalyst is prepared by depositing oxides of nickel and cobalt, with or without noble metals, on a sintered low surface area porous inert support, surface of which is precoated with an oxide of Be, Mg, Ca or a mixture thereof so that a protective layer of the alkaline earth oxide is formed between the oxides of nickel and cobalt, with or without noble metal, and the support and hence direct chemical interactions between the oxides of the group VIII transition metals and the reactive components of support, which leads to the formation of catalytically inactive binary oxide phases are avoided.