Diesel steam reforming with a nickel–alumina spinel catalyst for solid oxide fuel cell application

Liquid hydrocarbons (LC) are considered as fuel cells feed and, more particularly, as solid oxide fuel cell feed. Cost-effective LC-reforming catalysts are critically needed for the successful commercialization of such technologies. An alternative to noble metal catalysts, proposed by the authors in a previous publication, has been proven efficient for diesel steam reforming (SR). Nickel, less expensive and more readily available than noble metals, was used in a form that prevents deactivation. The catalyst formulation is a Ni–alumina spinel (NiAl2O4) supported on alumina (Al2O3) and yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ).SR of commercial diesel was undertaken for more than 15 h at high gas hourly space velocities and steam-to-carbon ratios lower than 2. Constant diesel conversion and high hydrogen concentrations were obtained. Ni catalyst characterization revealed no detectable amounts of carbon on the spinel catalyst surface Ni. The effect of catalyst composition (Ni concentration and YSZ presence) was studied to understand and optimize the developed catalyst. Two phenomena were found to be influenced by relative catalyst composition: water–gas-shift vs reforming reaction extent, and concentration of light hydrocarbons in products.

► Ni–alumina spinel catalyst for commercial diesel steam reforming.
► Stability of spinel during diesel steam reforming.
► Effect of Ni load and YSZ presence in catalyst composition.