(US4985385-A)      A method of preparing a catalyst precursor comprises intimately mixing a Feitknecht cpd. with a non-calcined alumino-silicate clay mineral to form a mixt. and adding at least one stabilising additive for reducing silicon-species loss, the additive comprising an alkaline earth and/or rare earth metal compound, and thereafter calcining the resulting mixt. to produce a calcined reaction prod. forming the catalyst precursor    (DE68902029-E)      Catalyst precursor prepn. comprises (i) intimately mixing a Feitknecht cpd. (I) with a non-calcined alumina silicate clay material (II) and at the same time and/or subsequently, but prior to calcination, with at least one stabilising additive (III) for reducing Si-species loss comprising an alkaline earth and/or rare earth metal cpd., and opt. an alkali metal cpd.; and (ii) calcining the resultant mixt. to produce a calcined reaction prod. forming the catalyst precursor. Also claimed is a catalyst made from the precursor, and a passivated catalyst made by passivating the catalyst in dil. O2 or a mild oxidising atmos. e.g. a CO2-contg. gas or a mixt. of O2 and N2.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For steam reforming liq. or gaseous hydrocarbons to produce a methane-contg. gas, for de-enrichment of natural gas to increase the methane content, and for gasifying methanol and/or ethanol to produce    (JP93085595-B)      Catalyst precursor prepn. comprises (i) intimately mixing a Feitknecht cpd. (I) with a non-calcined alumina silicate clay material (II) and at the same time and/or subsequently, but prior to calcination, with at least one stabilising additive (III) for reducing Si-species loss comprising an alkaline earth and/or rare earth metal cpd., and opt. an alkali metal cpd.; and (ii) calcining the resultant mixt. to produce a calcined reaction prod. forming the catalyst precursor.    Also claimed is a catalyst made from the precursor, and a passivated catalyst made by passivating the catalyst in dil. O2 or a mild oxidising atmos, e.g. a CO2-contg. gas or a mixt. of O2 and N2.    For steam reforming liq. or gaseous hydrocarbons to produce a methane-contg. gas, for de-enrichment of natural gas to increase the methane content, and for gasifying methanol and/or ethanol to produce a methane-contg. gas, comprising passing the relevant gas over the catalyst with steam. The catalysts are strengthened c.f. Feitknecht cpds. alone and the tendency for steam-volatile Si species loss by leaching is reduced. (J02209993-A)