Simultaneous water gas shift and methanation reactions on Ru/Ce0.8Tb0.2O2−x based catalysts

In this paper a Ru/Ce0.8Tb0.2O2−x/Al2O3 catalyst has been prepared by incipient wetness impregnation method and it has been exhaustively characterized through N2 physisorption, H2 and CO chemisorption, temperature programmed desorption, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy techniques. The catalyst has been tested in the water gas shift reaction and it has been compared with Ru/Al2O3 and Ru/Ce0.8Tb0.2O2−x samples employed as references. This study has revealed that WGS occurs with simultaneous methanation in the ceria–terbia containing systems. Catalytic tests performed in consecutive cycles reveal that the ternary system exhibit higher stability under ageing reaction conditions. These results appear as promising for deep abatement of CO in highly-pure H2 production from hydrocarbon reforming processes.

The catalytic activity for water gas shift over the Ru on Ce0.8Tb0.2O2−x/Al2O3 catalyst has been studied with reference catalysts of Ru/Al2O3 and Ru/Ce0.8Tb0.2O2−x. Simultaneous water gas shift and selective methanation of the unconverted CO occur over the ceria–terbia containing systems and lead to 100% CO conversion which is remarkable for direct application in H2 production for fuel cells. The ternary catalyst shows high stability against temperature ageing under reaction atmosphere. The Ru/Ce0.8Tb0.2O2−x/Al2O3 catalyst has been exhaustively characterized.Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (96 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► The WGS catalytic activity of a Ru/Ce0.8Tb0.2O2−x/Al2O3 catalyst has been studied.
► Simultaneous WGS and methanation of the unconverted CO occur.
► We achieve H2 enrichment besides 100% CO conversion.
► The result is remarkable for direct application in H2 production for fuel cells.
► The catalyst shows high stability against ageing under reaction atmosphere.