Kinetic behaviour of commercial catalysts for methane reforming in ethanol steam reforming process

Ethanol steam reforming has been studied in a fluidized bed (in order to ensure bed isothermicity) on commercial catalysts for methane reforming. The results allow analyzing the effect of temperature (in 300–700 °C range), and both metal and support nature on the reaction indices (ethanol conversion, yields and selectivities to H2 and byproducts (CO2, CO, CH4 and C2H4O)). Special attention has been paid to catalysts' stability by comparing the evolution of the reaction indices with time on stream at 500 °C (minimum CO formation) and 700 °C (minimum deactivation by coke deposition). Although they provide a slightly lower H2 yield, the results evidence a good behaviour of Ni based catalysts, indicating that they are an interesting alternative of more expensive Rh based ones.

Graphical AbstractThe kinetic behaviour of methane steam reforming commercial catalysts has been studied when they are used in the ethanol steam reforming reaction. The results evidence a good behaviour of Ni based catalysts.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide