Production of hydrogen via combined steam reforming of methanol over CuO-CeO2 catalysts

Hydrogen production by (combined) steam reforming of methanol (CSRM) was investigated over CuO-CeO2 catalysts prepared via the urea-combustion method. The characteristics of the resulting oxides were strongly influenced by the autoignition time during synthesis and the sample prepared with near stoichiometric quantity of urea had less favorable catalytic properties. Catalysts prepared from urea-rich or lean mixtures were more active and selective and an optimum behavior was obtained with 75% excess of urea and Cu/(Cu + Ce) ratio equal to 0.15. The higher methanol conversion in the CSRM process may be attributed to more efficient heat transfer in the bed due to combustion of part of methanol. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.