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A method of steam reforming a hydrocarbon over a spinel-containing catalyst at short residence times or short contact times. The present invention also provides spinel-containing catalysts. Surprisingly superior results and properties obtained in methods and catalysts of the present invention are al

A method of steam reforming a hydrocarbon over a spinel-containing catalyst at short residence times or short contact times. The present invention also provides spinel-containing catalysts. Surprisingly superior results and properties obtained in methods and catalysts of the present invention are also described.

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1. A catalyst, comprising:(a) a first porous structure comprising a first pore surface area and a first pore size of at least about 0.1 μm; (b) a porous interfacial layer that comprises a spinel comprising a second pore surface area and a second pore size less than said first pore size, wherein said

1. A catalyst, comprising:(a) a first porous structure comprising a first pore surface area and a first pore size of at least about 0.1 μm; (b) a porous interfacial layer that comprises a spinel comprising a second pore surface area and a second pore size less than said first pore size, wherein said porous interfacial layer has a thickness less than 4 mm disposed upon said porous structure; (c) a steam reforming catalyst selected from the group consisting of rhodium, iridium, nickel, palladium, platinum, ruthenium, carbide of group VIb and combinations thereof disposed upon the second pore surface area. 2. The catalyst as recited in claim 1, wherein said steam reforming catalyst is selected from the group consisting of tungsten carbide, molybdenum carbide and combination thereof.3. The catalyst of claim 1 wherein the first porous structure comprises a metal foam or felt.4. The catalyst of claim 3 wherein the catalyst has a pore volume of 30-95%, and wherein at least 50% of the pore volume is in the range of 0.3 to 200 microns.5. The catalyst of claim 3 wherein the catalyst has a pore volume of 30 to 95% and at least 50% of the catalysts pore volume is composed of pores in the size range of 0.1 to 300 microns.6. The catalyst of claim 3 wherein the catalyst comprises a steam reforming catalyst selected from the group consisting of rhodium, iridium, nickel, and combinations thereof disposed upon the second pore surface area.7. The catalyst of claim 6 wherein the spinel has the formula MgAl2O4.8. The catalyst of claim 1 wherein the steam reforming catalyst comprises tungsten carbide.9. The catalyst of claim 1 wherein the catalyst has a pore volume of 30 to 95% and at least 20% of the catalyst's pore volume is composed of pores in the size range of 1 to 100 microns.10. The catalyst of claim 6 wherein the spinel layer has a thickness of less than 40 microns.11. The catalyst of claim 1 comprising at least about 12 weight percent of rhodium, iridium, nickel, palladium, platinum, ruthenium, and combinations thereof.12. The catalyst of claim 1 comprising at least about 12 weight percent of rhodium.13. The catalyst of claim 1 wherein the porous interfacial layer consists essentially of a spinel, and wherein the spinel has a surface area of more than 10 m2/g.14. A catalyst comprising:an alumina layer; a metal exposed on the surface of the catalyst; a spinel layer disposed between the alumina layer and the metal; wherein the spinel layer is in direct contact with the alumina layer; and wherein the metal comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of: rhodium, iridium, nickel, platinum, palladium, and ruthenium; and wherein the spinel layer has a thickness of less than 40 microns. 15. The catalyst of claim 14 wherein the alumina layer comprises an alumina coating on a porous metal substrate.16. The catalyst of claim 14 further comprising a magnesia layer; wherein the spinel layer is disposed between the magnesia layer and the alumina layer and said metal is disposed on the magnesia layer.17. The catalyst of claim 14 wherein the catalyst does not show reduced hydrocarbon conversion after 1000 hours of steam reforming at a steam to methane ratio of 3, a contact time of 20 msec, a pressure of 120 psig, and a temperature of 850° C.18. The catalyst of claim 14 wherein the spinel layer has a surface area of 20-500 m2/g.19. The catalyst of claim 18 wherein the spinel has the formula MgAl2O4.20. The catalyst of claim 14 wherein the alumina layer comprises gamma alumina.21. The catalyst of claim 14 wherein the metal comprises Rh.22. The catalyst of claim 14 comprising of at least about 12 weight percent of rhodium, iridium, nickel, palladium, platinum, ruthenium, and combinations thereof.23. The catalyst of claim 14 comprising at least about 12 weight percent of rhodium.24. The catalyst of claim 23 wherein the catalyst provides a methane conversion of at least 95% and a hydrogen selectivity of at least 95% after testing with a steam to methane ratio of 3, at a contact time of 25 msec and a temperature of 900° C.25. The catalyst of claim 14 wherein the catalyst provides a methane conversion of at least 50% after testing for 40 hours with a steam to methane ratio of 1, at a contact time of 25 msec and a temperature of 900° C.26. The catalyst of claim 14 wherein the catalyst has a pore volume of 5 to 98% and at least 20% of the catalyst's pore volume is composed of pores in the size range of 0.1 to 300 microns.27. A catalyst comprising:an alumina layer; a metal exposed on the surface of the catalyst; a spinel layer disposed between the alumina layer and the metal; wherein the spinel layer is in direct contact with the alumina layer; and wherein the metal comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of rhodium iridium, nickel, platinum, palladium, and ruthenium; and further comprising a magnesia layer wherein the spinel layer is disposed between the magnesia layer and the alumina layer and said metal is disposed on the magnesia layer.