There is disclosed a process for producing a hydrogen-containing gas, which
comprises reacting methanol, steam and oxygen in the presence of a catalyst comprising
palladium, zinc and at least one metal selected from the group consisting of chromium,
gallium, copper, indium, bismuth and platinum. That is to say, the process include
the following four aspects: (I) a process which comprises reacting methanol, steam
and oxygen in the presence of a catalyst comprising palladium, zinc, and either
or both of chromium and gallium; (II) a process which comprises reacting methanol,
steam and oxygen in the presence of a catalyst comprising palladium, zinc, copper
and chromium; (III) a process which comprises reacting methanol, steam and oxygen
in the presence of a catalyst comprising palladium and zinc, or chromium added
thereto optionally, and either or both of indium and bismuth; and (IV) a process
which comprises reacting methanol, steam and oxygen in the presence of a catalyst
comprising zinc oxide, palladium and platinum. The use of the above steam-reforming
catalyst having a high activity, high selectivity and sufficient durability makes
it possible to produce a hydrogen-containing gas which is composed principally
of hydrogen and minimized in CO concentration in an industrially advantageous manner
through an auto thermal reformer where methanol, steam and oxygen are reacted with
one another.
