PROMOTED ALUMINA SUPPORTED NI CATALYST FOR ETHANOL STEAM REFORMING

The catalytic behavior of Ni/gamma-Al2O3 catalyst modified with Cu, Ag, and Au was investigated in the process of ethanol steam reforming. The catalysts were prepared by co-impregnation and were characterized by specific surface area determination (S-BET), Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), temperature programmed reduction (TPR), temperature programmed desorption (TPD) The data obtained from the experiments revealed that even at temperature as low as 350 degrees C the ethanol is converted entirely, showing high selectivity for H-2 and CH4. The activity of the Ni/gamma-Al2O3 is only slightly increased by the addition of the supplementary metals. Nevertheless, the addition of metals to Ni/gamma-Al2O3 has a positive effect in diminishing the quantity of CO2 produced in the reaction. The promoted alumina Ni catalysts present a higher stability in some experimental conditions.