Syngas production from steam reforming of acetic acid over Ni- and Co-based catalysts supported on La2O3 and AlLaOx

Ni and Co promoted catalysts supported on single La2O3 and mixed AlLaOx were tested in a fixed bed reactor for the steam reforming of acetic acid. Their performance in AcOH conversion and syngas production was evaluated for its application in solid oxide fuel cells for electricity generation. The samples were prepared with an active metal loading of 10% by wetness impregnation method. The catalytic tests were performed at atmospheric pressure, starting from a steam to acetic acid molar ratio of 2/1, and in the temperature range of 600-800 °C. The catalyst composition was analyzed by in-situ XRD analysis in order to see the phase transformations inside the catalyst from room until reactor temperature. Perovskite structures were observed on both single and mixed oxide supported catalysts. All catalysts were active and showed high selectivity to syngas during the screening tests. The obtained selectivities were close to the thermodynamic equilibrium values. Ni/La2O3 catalyst showed a stable performance up to 33 h.