Catalyst compositions having enhanced acidity for steam reforming processes

A method for steam reforming over an enhanced-acidity modified red mud catalyst composition, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a methane feed and a steam feed to react in a steam reforming reaction over the enhanced-acidity modified red mud catalyst composition at a temperature between about 500° C. to about 1000° C. and a pressure between about 5 bar and 20 bar to produce synthesis gas comprising H2 and CO, the enhanced-acidity modified red mud composition prepared by a homogeneous precipitation process comprising the steps of:
• providing an unmodified caustic red mud waste material produced from an alumina extraction process from bauxite ore;
• dissolving in water the unmodified caustic red mud waste material and neutralizing pH of the unmodified red mud waste material with an acid comprising hydrochloric acid;
• combining nickel oxide, the nickel oxide present at between about 5 wt. % to about 40 wt. % of the enhanced-acidity modified red mud catalyst composition;
• and
• combining a Periodic Table Group VIB metal oxide, the Group VIB metal oxide present at between about 1 wt. % and about 30 wt. % of the enhanced-acidity modified red mud catalyst composition.