Patent ID: 8038981

Claim:
A reactor for producing a hydrogen-containing gas comprising: a bed containing complex metal oxide-containing pellets and optionally containing steam-hydrocarbon reforming catalyst pellets wherein at least a portion of the complex metal oxide-containing pellets comprise at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Pt, Rh and Pd when the bed does not contain steam-hydrocarbon reforming catalyst pellets and wherein the complex metal oxide-containing pellets optionally comprise the at least one metal when the bed does contain steam-hydrocarbon reforming catalyst, and wherein the complex metal oxide-containing pellets comprise: 30 to 85 mole % of one or more binding agents selected from the group consisting of calcium titanate and calcium aluminate; and 15 to 70 mole % of one or more complex metal oxides wherein the one or more complex metal oxides are represented by the formula A x B y O n wherein A represents at least one metallic element having an oxidation state ranging from +1 to +3, inclusive, wherein the at least one metallic element is capable of forming a metal carbonate; x is a number from 1 to 10, inclusive; B represents at least one metallic element having an oxidation state ranging from +1 to +7, inclusive; y is a number form 1 to 10, inclusive; and n represents a value such that the complex metal oxide is rendered electrically neutral; wherein the complex metal oxide-containing pellets have a crush strength of 1 to 15 lbf/mm as determined in accordance with ASTM standard test method D 6175-03; wherein the complex metal oxide-containing pellets have a structure wherein the crush strength is retained within 1 to 15 lbf/mm after 50 cycles of reduction and oxidation in a process of producing hydrogen; wherein the calcium titanate, if present, is formed by reaction of at least one calcium precursor and TiO 2 in a mixture with one or more complex metal carbonates associated with the one or more complex metal oxides; and wherein the calcium aluminate, if present, is formed by reaction of at least one calcium precursor and at least one of alumina and aluminum hydroxide in a mixture with one or more complex metal carbonates associated with the one or more complex metal oxides.