Catalytic behavior of Ni-modified perovskite and doped ceria composite catalyst for the conversion of odorized propane to syngas

• Ni was mainly present as dispersed La2NiO4 particles on a La-depleted perovskite.
• A steady-state was reached almost immediately under all reaction conditions.
• 85% of propane containing 80 ppm of H2S has been catalytically converted to syngas.
• No carbon and good performance were detected for the catalyst.
• Adsorbed sulfur over the catalyst resulted to be below 1.2 wt.%.

The catalytic activity of a Ni-modified perovskite (LSFCO) — ceria doped gadolinia composite catalyst in the presence of odorized propane has been studied in order to assess this material as catalyst for a fuel processor in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs). At first, the study involved the investigation of the catalytic activity in the presence of propane in different reaction conditions and temperatures. Once established the best reaction conditions, the catalytic stability in an endurance test, and subsequently the effect on the catalytic performance of adding different amounts of H2S, has been explored. The autothermal reforming (ATR) at 800 °C has provided the highest performance (99% C3H8 conversion, 67% H2 and 17% CO yields). The upper limit of H2S content in propane for which the performance of such catalyst is still acceptable in terms of propane conversion and syngas yield is 80 ppm. Accordingly, the level of sulfur contaminants tolerated by this catalyst is much higher than that of conventional Ni-based catalyst for similar conversion and syngas yield.

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