Study On Ni-based Catalysts For Hydrogen Production From Ethanol Steam Reforming In Microreactor

Micro-reactor system coupled with biomass-ethanol for hydrogen production is regarded as an environmental-friendly and practically effective way to provide hydrogen for fuel cell applications. In this paper, ethanol steam reforming for hydrogen production has been investigated over the Ni-based catalysts. The effects of the water to ethanol ratio, reaction temperature and space velocity on the performance indexes such as ethanol conversion, hydrogen production rate and the selectivity of carbon containing products were analyzed separately.(1) The result showed that Ni-MgO/Al2O3catalyst which was packed in reactor showed better catalytic activity. The ability in hydrogen production can be promoted by addition of MgO. Ethanol conversion of100%, hydrogen yields of446.23mmol/(gcat·h) were achieved under the condition of600℃, water-to-ethanol ratio of5:1and LHSV of15ml/(g-h).(2) The catalyst coating was deposited on the surface of stainless sheet and showed a remarkably high homogeneity, an excellent adherence to the substrate and good catalytic activity. The result exhibited that when the temperature was550℃, water-to-ethanol ratio was5:1and LHSV was30ml/(g-h), hydrogen yields of micro-channel reactor was1.38times of the reactor filled with Ni-MgO/Al2O3catalyst and micro-channel reactor has a lower CO selectivity, higher CO2selectivity. Experimental results show that it is possible to produce large amounts of hydrogen and low concentration of CO in the micro-channel reactor coated with Ni/Al2O3.