Improved Durability of Iron Promoted Non-Precious Metal Catalysts for Hydrogen Generation through Bio-ethanol Reforming

Nickel-based catalysts with iron promotion were prepared by impregnation, tested in auto-thermal reforming (ATR) of bio-ethanol for hydrogen production. The reaction results show a remarkable improved durability in catalytic activity as well as selectivity to hydrogen in ATR is obtained: Over the 10 wt.% iron-loading nickel catalyst, conversion of ethanol at 99.61% and selectivity of hydrogen around 115% are kept at 600 degrees C during a 30-hour test, while that of iron-free sample decreases sharply from 85.10% to 19.71% on hydrogen selectivity within a 26-hour test. The improved durability is attributed to the synergistic effect of the NiAl2O4-FeAl2O4 mixed crystals that are more resistant to sintering and oxidation in the oxidative atmosphere of ATR.