Hydrogen from ethylene glycol by supercritical water reforming using noble and base metal catalysts

Catalytic reforming of ethylene glycol (5 and 15 wt%) in supercritical water (450 °C and 250 bar) in the presence of alumina supported mono- and bi-metallic catalysts based on Ir, Pt and Ni was studied. Pt catalyst showed the highest hydrogen yields compared to Ir and Ni. Varying the Pt loading (0.3–1.5 wt%) showed that the intrinsic reforming activities improved with decreasing Pt loadings. However, a lower Pt loading had a large negative effect on the H2 selectivity and catalyst stability. It was found that the presence of Ni in a Pt–Ni bimetallic catalyst improved hydrogen yields by suppressing methane formation. Moreover, the presence of Ni also enhanced catalyst stability. Results reported here were obtained at WHSV of 18 h−1. The Pt–Ni/Al2O3 having a total metal loading of 1.5 wt% (molar ratio Pt:Ni = 1), is identified as a promising catalyst for the reforming of ethylene glycol in supercritical water and may prove suitable for various other SCWG applications.

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► Catalytic reforming of ethylene glycol in supercritical water is studied in the presence Pt based mono- and bi-metallic catalysts (PtNi).
► Pt catalyst showed the highest hydrogen yields compared to Ir and Ni.
► Addition of Ni to the Pt in a PtNi bimetallic catalyst improved hydrogen yields by suppressing methane formation.
► Bimetallic catalysts were found to be more active and stable than the mono-metallic catalysts.