Patent ID: 6953488

Claim:
A process for preparation of synthesis gas comprising dihydrogen and oxides of carbon from feedstocks comprising methane and/or hydrocarbons having up to about 12 carbon atoms which comprises the steps of (A) feeding a stream comprising one or more hydrocarbon compounds having up to about 12 carbon atoms, and steam and/or carbon dioxide into an initial conversion zone containing a catalyst for initial conversions, (B) controlling temperatures within the initial conversion zone to temperatures in a range of temperature downward from 500° C. to 300° C., (C) converting the hydrocarbon compounds having up to about 12 carbon atoms in the presence of the initial conversion zone catalyst to form a methane-containing gaseous mixture substantially free of compounds having 2 or more carbon atoms, and (D) reforming the methane-containing gaseous mixture with steam and/or carbon dioxide in a subsequent zone containing reforming catalyst at temperatures in a range of temperature upward from about 600° C. to 1100° C. whereby a synthesis gas comprising dihydrogen and oxides of carbon is formed, wherein the catalyst for initial conversions used in step (C) and the reforming catalyst used in step (D) comprise mixtures formed by heat treating the same or a different nickel-containing hydrotalcite precursor compound to temperatures in a temperature range upward from 700° C. to 1050° C. thereby forming catalytic materials resistant to coking and/or deactivation in the presence of sulfur-containing compounds.