Abstract: Catalysts for converting carbon dioxide and methane to synthesis gas include an alumina supported copper-nickel alloy composition having the formula NixCuy. The catalyst comprises about 70% to about 98% by weight of alumina in the catalyst, wherein x is an atomic percentage nickel content and y is an atomic percentage copper content, and wherein a ratio of x to y is about 3:1 to about 10:1. In one embodiment, the Ni—Cu catalyst composition according to the present disclosure is derived by state of the art electronic structure calculations based on Density Functional Theory (DFT).

Abstract: A method for processing methane includes processing methane in presence of a carbon dioxide stream, whereby a synthesis gas including carbon monoxide and hydrogen is produced. The synthesis gas is contacted with a carbon monoxide-absorbing solution, thereby removing at least a portion of the carbon monoxide and producing a final synthesis gas having an increased ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide.