Water-gas shift reaction in micro-channels-Results from catalyst screening and optimisation

Wash-coated alumina catalysts introduced into micro-channels were applied for the water-gas shift reaction. The application standing behind this work was catalytic CO clean-up of reformate with the aim of hydrogen generation for mobile fuel cell systems. Bimetallic Pt/CeO2/Al2O3, Pt/Rh/CeO2/Al2O3, Pt/Pd/CeO2/Al2O3 and Pt/Ru/Al2O3 catalysts were tested in a standard screening protocol under the conditions of high-temperature shift (9.1% CO, 290, 315 and 340 °C reaction temperature) and low-temperature shift (2.6% CO, 290, 315 and 340 °C reaction temperature) at a WHSV of 100 N dm3/(h gcat). Methane, was formed as the only by-product. Pt/CeO2/Al2O3 was identified as the best candidate concerning selectivity and activity. The optimum platinum content was found to range between 3 and 5 wt.%, whereas the optimum ceria content ranged between 12 and 24 wt.%. The calcination temperature and platinum metal salt solution applied during catalyst preparation had a drastic effect on the activity of the Pt/CeO2/Al2O3 catalyst.