The objective of this work concerns the study of two classes of catalysts, mixed oxides (CuO/Al2O3, CuO-CuAl2O4, CuO-CuCr2O4, CuO-ZnO-Al2O3 undoped or doped with Ag and Mn) and nobles supported metals (Pd/Al2O3 and Pt/ Al2O3, Pd-Pt /Al2O3 undoped or doped with B) used in two different reactions: low temperature gas phase ammonia oxidation into nitrogen and high temperature methane catalytic combustion for energy production. Biogas, a renewable energy, is mainly constituted of methane and carbon dioxide. It contains, among others, traces of ammonia (NH3 < 1000 ppm) which has to be eliminated before its use as vector of energy. We synthesized several catalytic systems based copper oxides by various methods. These catalysts exist under various forms the obtaining of which depends on preparative route used, copper content and calcination temperatures. They present different physico-chemical properties which affects both their activity in ammonia oxidation and their selectivity in nitrogen.Mono- and bi-metallic palladium and platinum catalysts were deposited on -Al2O3 then were aged at high temperature in the presence of steam before use in CH4 combustion (200- 800°C). The activity of catalysts used in NH3 oxidation or in CH4 combustion was affected by H2S poisoning. However the importance of the catalysts deactivation was function of the synthesis method used.
