The catalytic performance of W-containing bimetallic Ni-W/Al2O3 catalyst and tri-metallic Ni-W-Ce/Al2O3 and Ni-Re-W/Al2O3 catalysts for oxidative steam reforming of gasoline to produce hydrogen has been studied. The bimetallic Ni-W/Al2O3 catalyst exhibits significantly superior activity maintenance compared to that of monometallic Ni/Al2O3 catalyst for highly efficient conversion of sulfur-containing gasoline fuel into hydrogen. The activity maintenance of tri-metallic Ni-W-Ce/Al2O3 catalyst with the suitable ratios of Ni/W/Ce is much better than those of bimetallic Ni-W/Al2O3 or Ni-Ce/Al2O3 catalysts for oxidative steam reforming of gasoline. The tri-metallic Ni-Re-W/Al2O3 catalyst exhibits better activity maintenance than bimetallic Ni-W/Al2O3 or Ni-Re/Al2O3 for oxidative steam reforming of gasoline to produce hydrogen. W acts as a promoter to improve the sulfur tolerance of W-containing bimetallic Ni-W/Al2O3 and tri-metallic Ni-W-Ce/Al2O3 and Ni-Re-W/Al2O3 catalysts for oxidative steam reforming of gasoline. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.