High Activity Reforming Catalyst Formulation and Process for Low Temperature Steam Reforming of Hydrocarbons to Produce Hydrogen

A method for producing a hydrogen rich gas from a hydrocarbon feed, the method comprising the steps of:

• introducing the hydrocarbon feed to a reactor, the reactor comprising a low temperature reforming catalyst, the low temperature reforming catalyst comprising:
• an amount of praesodymium,
• 12 wt % nickel, and
• an aluminum oxide component;
• introducing a steam feed to the reactor, wherein the steam feed comprises steam, wherein a ratio of steam to carbon is in the range between 2.8 and 4.2;
• contacting the low temperature reforming catalyst with the hydrocarbon feed in the reactor, wherein the reactor operates at a temperature between 500° C. and 600° C., wherein the reactor operates at a pressure between 3 bar and 40 bar;
• and
• producing the hydrogen rich gas over the low temperature reforming catalyst, wherein the hydrogen rich gas comprises hydrogen.