Patent ID: 6875417

Claim:
A process for production of hydrogen from a light hydrocarbon reactant, comprising: in a reactor, adding a catalyst comprising binary metal-ferrihydrite structure coprecipitated on an oxide substrate support, said binary metal-ferrihydrite structure comprising iron and a secondary element M selected from the group of metals consisting of V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Nb, Mo, Ru, Rb, Pd, Ag, Ta, W, Re, Os, Ir, Pt, Au and any mixture thereof, wherein said iron and said secondary element M are included in a ratio of from between about 0.5 wt % and about 5 wt % with respect to said oxide substrate support; passing said hydrocarbon reactant over said catalyst bed at a suitable temperature; and recovering a substantially carbon monoxide-free product stream comprising hydrogen and unreacted hydrocarbon reactant.