Steam reforming of ethanol over Ni/support catalysts for generation of hydrogen for fuel cell applications

The paper reports experimental results concerning the influence of the support nature (TiO₂, ZnO, Al₂O₃ and Al₂O₃–Fe₂O₃) of nickel catalysts on their activity, selectivity and coking phenomenon in the steam reforming of ethanol in the range of 570–870 K. The chemical transformations of ethanol occurring on the catalyst support make its chemical nature an important factor affecting the productivity and selectivity of the process. It was found that the most suitable supports in nickel catalysts designed for hydrogen generation in the steam reforming of ethanol are ZnO and TiO₂. Taking into consideration both the efficiency of hydrogen generation and the intensity of carbon deposition, the optimum temperature of the process of the steam reforming of ethanol is below 750 K. An improvement in the selectivity of hydrogen generation and diminishing of the formation of undesirable products may be obtained by promoting nickel catalysts with sodium.     

Production of hydrogen for fuel cells by steam reforming of ethanol over supported noble metal catalysts

The catalytic performance of supported noble metal catalysts for the steam reforming (SR) of ethanol has been investigated in the temperature range of 600–850 °C with respect to the nature of the active metallic phase (Rh, Ru, Pt, Pd), the nature of the support (Al₂O₃, MgO, TiO₂) and the metal loading (0–5 wt.%). It is found that for low-loaded catalysts, Rh is significantly more active and selective toward hydrogen formation compared to Ru, Pt and Pd, which show a similar behavior. The catalytic performance of Rh and, particularly, Ru is significantly improved with increasing metal loading, leading to higher ethanol conversions and hydrogen selectivities at given reaction temperatures. The catalytic activity and selectivity of high-loaded Ru catalysts is comparable to that of Rh and, therefore, ruthenium was further investigated as a less costly alternative. It was found that, under certain reaction conditions, the 5% Ru/Al₂O₃ catalyst is able to completely convert ethanol with selectivities toward hydrogen above 95%, the only byproduct being methane. Long-term tests conducted under severe conditions showed that the catalyst is acceptably stable and could be a good candidate for the production of hydrogen by steam reforming of ethanol for fuel cell applications.     

Hydrogen production by aqueous-phase reforming of glycerol over nickel catalysts supported on CeO2

Nickel catalysts supported on CeO₂ were prepared and evaluated in aqueous-phase reforming of glycerol. Three different methodologies of synthesis were used: wet impregnation, co-precipitation and combustion, and the catalysts were characterized by chemical composition, textural analysis, crystalline structure and reducibility. The reaction was carried out in a batch reactor with solution of 1 and 10 wt.% glycerol, at 523 and 543 K. A maximum glycerol conversion of 30% was achieved by the catalyst prepared by combustion at 543 K using solution 1% glycerol. In the gas phase, the molar fraction of H₂ was always higher than 70% and formation of CH₄ was very low (< 1%). The increase in glycerol concentration decreases the conversion and H₂ formation.     

Cobalt catalysts derived from hydrotalcite-type precursors applied to steam reforming of ethanol

Catalysts derived from Co/Mg/Al hydrotalcite-type precursors modified with La and Ce were characterized by XANES and tested in ethanol steam reforming. The reaction data showed that, with a molar ratio of water:ethanol = 3:1 in the feed, addition of Ce and La favored acetaldehyde production. Increasing the water content (water:ethanol = 5:1) decreased the acetaldehyde formation by favoring the adsorption of water molecules on these samples, enhancing the acetaldehyde conversion.     

Ethanol steam reforming study over ZSM-5 supported cobalt versus nickel catalyst for renewable hydrogen generation

The renewable hydrogen generation through ethanol steam reforming is one of the anticipated areas for sustainable hydrogen generation. To elucidate the role of Ni and Co with ZSM-5 support, catalysts were prepared by wet impregnation method and ethanol steam reforming(ESR) was performed. The catalysts were characterized by HR-XRD, ATR–FTIR, HR-SEM, TEM with SAED, EDAX, surface area analyzer and TPR. It had shown complete ethanol conversion at 773 K, but the selectivity in hydrogen generation was found higher for 10% Ni/ZSM-5 catalyst as compared to 10% Co/ZSM-5. The 10% Ni/ZSM-5 catalyst has about 72% hydrogen selectivity at temperature 873 K. It indicates that Ni is a more sustainable catalyst as compared to Co with ZSM-5 support for ESR. The C_2H_4 was found major undesirable products up to 823 K temperature. Nevertheless, the 10% Ni/ZSM-5 catalyst had shown its stability for high temperature(873 K) ESR performance.     

汽油氧化重整制氢反应催化剂失活因素研究

对汽油氧化重整制氢反应催化剂失活因素进行了理论分析与实验研究 ,研究结果表明 :在进行反应中 ,催化剂表面积碳是造成催化剂失活的原因 ,为避免催化剂表面积碳 ,反应的最小水碳比应大于理论计算的最小水碳比。计算了在不同反应温度条件下的最小理论水碳比     

The effect of Na2CO3 on the catalytic gasification of rice straw over nickel catalysts supported on kieselguhr

Rice straw was catalytically gasified over nickel catalysts supported on kieselguhr. Ni catalyst activated the gasification step from the formed oil. The effect of sodium carbonate on the formation of carbonized solid, oil and gas composition was also investigated. With the addition of sodium carbonate, the gas yield was largely increased and the formation of oil through liquefaction also increased. A reaction pathway on the gasification of rice straw was discussed.     

Decane reforming reaction over Pt,Ir, Pt-Ir and Pt-Ni bimetallic catalysts supported on Y-zeolite

Pt, Ir, Pt-Ir and Pt-Ni bimetallic catalysts supported on NaY- and HY-zeolite were examined as a catalyst for producing gasoline from n-decane via simultaneous reforming and cracking. The catalysts were prepared by calcining and reducing metal-ion-exchanged Y-zeolite with O₂ and H₂ at 300°C., respectively. Thus prepared catalysts were characterized by hydrogen chemisorption and temperature programmed desorption of ammonia. Pt-Ni/NaY and Pt-Ir/NaY bimetallic catalysts offered the improved activity maintenance compared to Pt/NaY monometallic catalyst. The catalysts supported on HY-zeolite showed higher selectivity toward C₅–C₇ and skeletal isomers of C₅–C₇- and C₈–C₁₀ than those of the catalysts supported on NaY-zeolite, which is a desired characteristic for increasing octane value of gasoline these days. However, deactivation with reaction time was much more pronounced on HY-zeolite-supported catalyst. When the catalyst was prcsulfided with H,S, the stability with time on stream was enhanced and the selectivity was quite different from that of the catalyst before presulfiding. The acidity of Y-zeolite and presulfiding of catalyst greatly influenced the activny, selectivity and stability of Pt, Ir, Pt-Ir and Pt-Ni bimetallic catalysts supported on Y-zeolite in n-decane reforming reaction.     

Oxidative reforming of biomass derived ethanol for hydrogen production in fuel cell applications

Oxidative reforming of biomass derived ethanol over an inexpensive Ni–Cu/SiO₂ catalyst has been carried out with respect to solid polymer fuel cell (SPFC) applications. Two types of runs were performed, either under diluted conditions (with helium as diluent) or under conditions corresponding to an on-board reformer. Selectivities of ethanol reforming have been analyzed as a function of operating parameters: reaction temperature, H₂O/EtOH molar ratio and O₂/EtOH molar ratio of the feed to the reformer. The hydrogen content and the CO₂/CO_x molar ratio in the outlet gases were used as parameters to optimize the operating conditions in the reforming reactor. The tests carried out at on-board reformer conditions evidenced that an H₂O/EtOH molar ratio=1.6 and an O₂/EtOH molar ratio=0.68 at 973 K allow a hydrogen rich mixture (33%) that can be considered of high interest for SPFC. Furthermore, the use of oxygen decreases the production of methane and coke which increases in turn the lifetime of the catalyst. The stability of this catalyst has been fully demonstrated by long time runs.     

Low-temperature mild partial oxidation of ethanol over supported platinum catalysts

Supported platinum catalysts containing 1.2% Pt loaded on Al₂O₃ (1.2% Pt/Al₂O₃) and 1.9% Pt loaded on ZrO₂ (1.9% Pt/ZrO₂) were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation and sol–gel method, respectively. The activity of these catalysts in the partial oxidation of ethanol (POE) was examined in a fixed-bed reactor in a temperature range between 373 and 473 K. The results indicated that significant ethanol conversion (C_EtOH > 50%) was found at the low reaction temperature with a feed ratio of O₂/EtOH ratio >0.75. Oxygen molecules introduced in reactant were completely consumed in POE reactions performed. H₂, H₂O, CO and CO₂ were the major products detected. The selectivity of hydrogen (S_H2) and CO (S_CO) varied significantly with reaction conditions. High selectivity of hydrogen (S_H2 > 95%) and low selectivity of CO (S_CO  0%) were found from a mild oxidation at T_R = 373 K over Pt/ZrO₂. However, these two selectivities were drastically deteriorated through oxidation at high T_R, high O₂/EtOH ratio or over Pt/Al₂O₃ catalyst.     

Hydrogen production by oxidative methanol reforming with various oxidants over Cu-based catalysts

In order to improve the start-up property of a small hydrogen producer with a micro methanol reformer, oxidative methanol reforming (OMR) with various oxidants over copper-based catalysts was examined. The addition of Fe to a Cu/ZnO/Al₂O₃ catalyst resulted in higher catalyst durability, with a slight improvement in catalytic activity, for OMR with air. However, the addition of larger amounts of Fe inhibited further improvement of catalytic performance, possibly due to the formation of less active CuFe₂O₄ spinel in the catalyst. The production of hydrogen by OMR with hydrogen peroxide as an alternative oxidant, which has the potential to provide concentrated hydrogen without nitrogen dilution, was also considered. It was found that hydrogen peroxide is an effective oxidant for OMR over copper-based catalysts due to its ability to suppress CO formation and its improving effect on methanol conversion.     

Co-production of hydrogen and multi-wall carbon nanotubes from ethanol decomposition over Fe/Al2O3 catalysts

The co-production of hydrogen and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) from the decomposition of ethanol over Fe/Al₂O₃ at different temperatures and feeding rates of ethanol was investigated systematically. The results indicated that Fe/Al₂O₃ was a quite active catalyst for the co-production of hydrogen and CNTs and that its activity and stability depended strongly on the Fe loading. Among all catalysts tested, 10 mol% Fe/Al₂O₃ was the most effective catalyst based on the ratio of hydrogen production, the total H₂ yield, and the quality of the CNTs formed. The efficiency of hydrogen production from ethanol decomposition over 10 mol% Fe/Al₂O₃ reached a maximum of 80% at 800 °C and the yield of CNTs with well-oriented growth and uniform diameter was 141%. In addition, the reaction of hydrogen and CNTs co-produced from ethanol decomposition was proposed.     

A crucial role of surface oxygen mobility on nanocrystalline Y2O3 support for oxidative steam reforming of ethanol to hydrogen over Ni/Y2O3 catalysts

Y₂O₃ nanocrystals hydrothermally synthesized at different pH are found to have different morphologies and crystal sizes. These Y₂O₃ nanocrystals have been investigated as supports of Ni-based catalysts in oxidative reforming reaction of ethanol. Result of H₂-chemisorption shows that the particle size and dispersion of nickel on Y₂O₃ nanocrystals are not affected significantly by the crystal size of Y₂O₃. XPS and H₂-TPR results show that no association between nickel and the support-Y₂O₃ has taken place and the reducibility of nickel is not affected by the crystal size of Y₂O₃. However, it is found that the surface oxygen mobility of Y₂O₃ nanocrystal increases with decreasing crystal size. The surface oxygen mobility is believed to play an important role in promoting the H₂ production rate and selectivity of the Ni/Y₂O₃ catalyst over the oxidative steam reforming of ethanol.     

Hydrogen production by steam gasification of polypropylene with various nickel catalysts

Several nickel-based catalysts (Ni/Al₂O₃, Ni/MgO, Ni/CeO₂, Ni/ZSM-5, Ni-Al, Ni-Mg-Al and Ni/CeO₂/Al₂O₃) have been prepared and investigated for their suitability for the production of hydrogen from the two-stage pyrolysis–gasification of polypropylene. Experiments were conducted at a pyrolysis temperature of 500 °C and gasification temperature was kept constant at 800 °C with a catalyst/polypropylene ratio of 0.5. Fresh and reacted catalysts were characterized using a variety of methods, including, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that Ni/Al₂O₃ was deactivated by two types of carbons (monoatomic carbons and filamentous carbons) with a total coke deposition of 11.2 wt.% after reaction, although it showed to be an effective catalyst for the production of hydrogen with a production of 26.7 wt.% of the theoretical yield of hydrogen from that available in the polypropylene. The Ni/MgO catalyst showed low catalytic activity for H₂ production, which might be due to the formation of monoatomic carbons on the surface of the catalyst, blocking the access of gaseous products to the catalyst. Ni-Al (1:2) and Ni-Mg-Al (1:1:2) catalysts prepared by co-precipitation showed good catalytic abilities in terms of both H₂ production and prevention of coke formation. The ZSM-5 zeolite with higher surface area was also shown to be a good support for the nickel-based catalyst, since, the Ni/ZSM-5 catalyst showed a high rate of hydrogen production (44.3 wt.% of theoretical) from the pyrolysis–gasification of polypropylene.     

Reaction mechanism of partial oxidation of methane to synthesis gas over supported ni catalysts

A mechanistic study on the partial oxidation of methane to synthesis gas (H₂ and CO) was conducted with supported nickel catalysts. To investigate the reaction mechanism, pulse experiments, O₂-TPD, and a comparison of the moles of reactants and products were carried out. From the O₂-TPD experiment, it was observed that the active catalyst in the synthesis gas production desorbed oxygen at a lower temperature. In the pulse experiment, the temperature of the top of the catalyst bed increased with the pulses, whereas the temperature of the bottom decreased. This suggests that there are two kinds of reactions, that is, the total oxidation of methane (exothermic) at the top and reforming reactions (endothermic) at the bottom. From the comparison of the moles of reactants and products, it was found that the moles of CO₂, CH₄ and H₂O decreased as the moles of H₂ and CO increased. The results support the mechanism that synthesis gas is produced through a two-step reaction mechanism: the total oxidation of methane to CO₂ and H₂O takes place first, followed by the reforming reaction of the produced CO₂ and H₂O with residual CH₄ to form synthesis gas. This paper is dedicated to Professor Hyun-Ku Rhee on the occasion of his retirement from Seoul National University.     

Hydrogen production by aqueous-phase reforming of ethanol over nickel catalysts prepared from hydrotalcite precursors

Derived hydrotalcite catalysts, with different Ni loadings, were prepared and tested in aqueous-phase reforming of ethanol. Upon calcination of the hydrotalcite-like compounds, there was formation of MgO periclase-type phase, where both nickel and aluminum oxides are well dispersed. The mixed oxides showed only one reduction peak in temperature range of 900–1000 °C. The catalytic tests were carried out in a batch reactor with an aqueous solution of 1 wt.% ethanol at different temperatures (200, 230 and 250 °C). The derived hydrotalcite catalysts showed high activity, with 65% of ethanol conversion at 230 °C, high hydrogen selectivity and lower methane production than alumina supported nickel catalyst.     

负载型金属催化剂在乙醇水蒸气重整制氢中的应用

系统地阐述了近年来对乙醇水蒸气重整制氢催化剂的研究进展;对影响催化剂性能的因素及对策进行了分析与讨论;展望了乙醇水蒸气制氢催化剂的研究方向.     

Autothermal reforming of ethanol for hydrogen production over an Rh/CeO2 catalyst

Hydrogen production from ethanol by autothermal reforming over an Rh/CeO₂ catalyst was investigated with a stoichiometric feed composition. Ethanol as well as the reaction intermediates like acetaldehyde and acetone was entirely converted to hydrogen and C1 products at 673 K, and methane steam reforming and reverse water gas shift were the major reactions above 823 K. The Rh/CeO₂ catalyst exhibited stable activity and selectivity during 70 h on-stream operation at 823–923 K without obvious deactivation evidenced by the constant effluent gas composition. Structural analysis of the used catalyst revealed that CeO₂ prevented effectively the highly dispersed Rh particles with sizes of 1–3 nm from sintering and thus maintained sufficient Rh–CeO₂ interfacial areas, which facilitated coke gasification through the high oxygen storage-release capacity.     

Co/Al2O3 catalysts promoted with noble metals for production of hydrogen by methane steam reforming

The effect of noble metal addition on the catalytic properties of Co/Al₂O₃ was evaluated for the steam reforming of methane. Co/Al₂O₃ catalysts were prepared with addition of different noble metals (Pt, Pd, Ru and Ir 0.3 wt.%) by a wetness impregnation method and characterized by UV–vis spectroscopy, temperature programmed reduction (TPR) and temperature programmed oxidation (TPO) of the reduced catalysts. The UV–vis spectra of the samples indicate that, most likely, large amounts of the supported cobalt form Co species in which cobalt is in octahedral and tetrahedral symmetries. No peaks assigned to cobalt species from aluminate were found for the promoted and unpromoted cobalt catalysts. TPO analyses showed that the addition of the noble metals on the Co/Al₂O₃ catalyst leads to a more stable metallic state and less susceptible to the deactivation process during the reforming reaction. The Co/Al₂O₃ promoted with Pt showed higher stability and selectivity for H₂production during the methane steam reforming.