Ethanol Oxidative Steam Reforming over Rh(1%)/MgAl2O4/Al2O3 Catalyst

Abstract

The ethanol oxidative steam reforming reaction was studied over a rhodium based catalyst which was prepared by wet impregnation method. The general catalyst formula is Rh(1%)MgAl2O4/Al2O3. The ethanol oxidative steam reforming reaction was studied over this catalyst. Oxygen to ethanol ratio (Ro = 0-1.2), space time (τEt = 15-45 gcat.min/molEt) and temperature (T = 673-873K) were varied in order to determinate the reaction scheme. A reaction network of eight reactions was found: ethanol decomposition and steam reforming, water gas shift, methane steam reforming and ethanol, methane, carbon monoxide and hydrogen oxidations. The obtained results suggest that the oxidation reactions predominate in the first part of the reactor and at low temperatures. Ethanol partial oxidation was studied as well, and the same reaction scheme was found for this reaction varying oxygen to ethanol ratio (Ro = 0.25-1.0), space time (τEt = 9.5-45.8 gcat.min/molEt) and temperature (T = 573-673K). Finally, a reaction mechanism of twenty-two elementary steps was proposed and the parameters were adjusted.