Dual application of Ti-catalyzed Li-RHC composite for H2 purification and CO methanation

Abstract

2LiH + MgB2 composite doped with TiO2 (Li-RHC-Ti) is employed with a two-fold purpose: hydrogen purification under a H2–CO (0.1 mol%) mixture and CO methanation. Upon dynamic cycling under CO–H2 mixture, hydrogen release curves display a quite stable amount of pure hydrogen of about 10 wt%, short release times of around 60 min, and minor degradation. Gas analysis by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) after a thermal dehydrogenation process of MgH2 and LiBH4 under CO evidence the conversion of CO to CH4. Li-RHC-Ti dehydrogenated under CO shows the simultaneous formation of CH4, CH3OH, and B(CH3)3 in the gas phase. X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and FTIR characterizations of the solid phases of Li-RHC-Ti after both H2–CO mixture and CO interactions demonstrate the formation of MgO, LiBO2, and HCOO− species. Li-RHC-Ti acts as a hydrogen source and promoter for the CO conversion. Reaction pathways are proposed based on experimental results and equilibrium composition calculations.