Hydrogen production and coke minimization through reforming of kerosene over bi-metallic ceria–alumina supported Ru–Ni catalysts

• 1% Ru–15% Ni catalyst had the highest stability with lowest coke and CH4 formation.
• All catalysts evaluated showed complete conversion of kerosene at 800 °C.
• Increase in H2O/C ratio increased catalyst stability and decreased formation of CH4 and CO.

Steam reforming of kerosene was investigated to produce syngas as a fuel for solid-oxide fuel cells. Catalytic performances of synthesized bi-metallic Ru–Ni containing ceria–alumina supported catalysts were compared with mono-metallic catalysts containing only Ni or Ru, in the reforming reaction of kerosene. These catalysts had mesoporous structures with narrow pore size distributions. Performance of the catalyst containing 1% Ru and 15% Ni was the most stable with minimum coke and CH4 formation, as compared to the mono-metallic catalysts and bi-metallic catalysts containing less Ni. Incorporation of 1% Ru into Ni based catalysts significantly improved catalyst stability. All of the catalysts were very active, giving complete conversion of kerosene at 800 °C. Increase of H2O/C ratio in the feed stream also caused more stable operation with less CH4 and CO formation. Results also proved that high hydrogen yields could be obtained by steam reforming of kerosene, producing a synthesis gas which might be used as a fuel in solid oxide fuel cells.