Preferential CO oxidation over Cu/CeO2−x catalyst: Internal mass transport limitation

The effect of internal mass transport limitation on the preferential CO oxidation in hydrogen-rich mixture over copper-cerium oxide catalyst in a form of pellets and washcoat in microchannel reactor is estimated. Internal effectiveness factor ηСО >0.8 in the optimum interval of reaction temperature (170–230 °C) is reached if the pellet diameter and washcoat thickness do not exceed 100 and 20 μm, respectively. Compared to conventional packed-bed reactor with catalyst pellets, microchannel catalytic washcoated reactor is more appropriate for practical use.

► The internal mass transfer limitation could decrease the CO PrOx selectivity of Cu/CeO2 catalyst.
► The pellet diameter and coating thickness should not exceed 100 and 20 μm for high effectiveness factor.
► Microchannel catalytic washcoated reactor is more appropriate for CO PrOx than conventional packed-bed reactor.