Rare earth aluminates and gallates supported rhodium catalysts for catalytic partial oxidation of hydrocarbons

A partial oxidation catalyst comprising:

• a support material comprising a rare earth aluminate, a rare earth gallate, or mixtures thereof, wherein the support material has been fired at a temperature at or above about 1000° C., and
• a catalytic metal useful for catalyzing a partial oxidation reaction, said catalytic metal being supported on said support material, wherein the support material comprises a rare earth gallate.

A process for producing synthesis gas comprising:

• passing a hydrocarbon containing gas and an oxygen containing gas comprising diatomic oxygen over a partial oxidation catalyst, under conditions effective to produce a gas stream comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide,
• wherein the partial oxidation catalyst comprises a catalytic metal supported on a support material, and
• wherein the support material comprises a rare earth aluminate, a rare earth gallate, or mixtures thereof.

The process according to 13 wherein the catalytic metal comprises rhodium.

A process for a partial oxidation reaction, comprising contacting a feed stream comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide with a catalyst in a reaction zone;

• said catalyst comprising at least one catalytic metal for partial oxidation reactions and a support comprising a rare earth aluminate.

A process for a partial oxidation reaction, comprising contacting a feed stream comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide with a catalyst in a reaction zone;

• said catalyst comprising at least one catalytic metal for partial oxidation reactions and a support comprising a rate earth gallate.