High H2 selectivity with low coke formation for methanol steam reforming over Cu/Y1.5Ce0.84Ru0.04O4 catalyst in a microchannel plate reactor

The synthesized novel metal oxides Y_xCe_yRu_zO₄ (x = 1.5, y = 0.84, z = 0.04) which was produced by the sol-gel method was used as a support for Cu active metal on the surface of a microchannel plate reactor in the methanol steam reforming (MSR) process. The prepared catalysts were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), BET surface area analysis (S_BET), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), temperature-programmed desorption (NH₃-TPD), and temperature-programmed reduction (H₂-TPR). High methanol conversion (99.5%) and H₂ selectivity (98.7%) and low CO selectivity (1.4%) were achieved for Cu/Y_xCe_yRu_zO₄ coated microchannel reactor at 250 °C. FE-SEM images and TGA curve of the spent catalyst displayed no coke formation on the surface of the catalyst after 32 h on stream at 300 °C. The low reduction temperature of Cu, high BET surface area, and high pore volume of the catalyst are considered imperative factors that cause a better dispersion of copper on the Y_1.5Ce_0.84Ru_0.04O₄ support.