Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
6588138 | Chemical Engineering Journal | 2011 | 10 Pages |
Abstract
Steam reforming of ethanol was studied over Rh/CeO2/Al2O3 catalysts in a micro-channel reactor. First, the catalyst support was deposited on to the metallic substrate by washcoating and then the CeO2 and active metal were sequentially impregnated. The catalysts were characterized by means of BET surface area, temperature programmed reduction, H2 chemisorption and atomic absorption spectroscopy. The effect of support composition as well as active metal composition on steam reforming of ethanol in micro-channel reactor was studied at atmospheric pressure, with an ethanol to water molar ratio of 1:6, over a temperature range of 400-600 °C. Ceria added to 2%Rh/Al2O3 showed higher activity and selectivity than 2%Rh/Al2O3 alone. With addition of Ni to 2%Rh/20%CeO2/Al2O3, the catalyst activity was significantly reduced. Out of the various catalysts tested, 2%Rh/20%CeO2/Al2O3 performed well in terms of activity, selectivity and stability. The micro-channel reactor performance was compared with that of packed bed reactor using 2%Rh/20%CeO2/Al2O3 catalyst at identical operating conditions. The activity was similar in both the reactors but the selectivity to desired products were higher in the micro-channel reactor. The H2 yield obtained in the micro-channel reactor was â¼65 L gâ1 hâ1, as compared to 60 LH2 gâ1 hâ1 in the packed bed reactor. The stability test performed on 2%Rh/20%CeO2/Al2O3 at 500 °C in the micro-channel reactor showed that the catalyst was stable for â¼35 h and then started to deactivate slowly.
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Physical Sciences and Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Chemical Engineering (General)
Authors
Nageswara Rao Peela, Anamika Mubayi, Deepak Kunzru,