Behavior of steam reforming reaction for bio-ethanol over Pt/ZrO2 catalysts

Steam reforming reactions of reagent ethanol and of biomass-derived ethanol (bio-ethanol) over Pt catalysts supported on ZrO2 were studied. For steam reforming reactions at 673 K of reagent ethanol with an H2O/C2H5OH molar ratio = 3, the initial H2 yields were 20–29%. The major carbon-containing products were CH4, CO2, and CO. Small amounts of acetaldehyde, acetone, and ethylene were produced, showing that the partial ethanol steam reforming reaction (C2H5OH + H2O → CH4 + CO2 + 2H2) occurred competitively with the ethanol decomposition reaction (C2H5OH → CH4 + CO + H2).H2 formation for bio-ethanol was less than that obtained with reagent ethanol under the same conditions. The catalytic activity for the partial steam reforming reaction decreased rapidly; a similar decrease in the activity of the ethanol decomposition reaction was observed. The poisoning effect of sulfur compounds on the Pt sites was responsible for the deactivation of the bio-ethanol steam reforming reaction.

H2 yield from bio-ethanol decreased rapidly with time-on stream. The deactivation profile resembles that for sample containing H2SO3.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide