Production of hydrogen over bimetallic Pt–Ni/δ-Al2O3: II. Indirect partial oxidation of LPG

Indirect partial oxidation (IPOX) of a 75:25 propane:n-butane mixture, which was used as a model for LPG, was studied over the bimetallic 0.2 wt%Pt–15 wt%Ni/δ-Al2O3 catalyst in 623–743 K temperature range. The effects of steam to carbon ratio (S/C), carbon to oxygen ratio(C/O2) and residence time (W/F (g cat-h/mol LPG)) on the hydrogen production activity, selectivity and product distribution were studied in detail. The results are compared with the results obtained in the IPOX of pure propane. An Increasing Temperature Program (ITP) was applied during all experiments and the results showed that the presence of n-butane in the feed enhances hydrogen production activity and selectivity. Considering the well established distribution network of LPG and the superior performance of the bimetallic Pt–Ni catalyst in the IPOX of LPG, Pt–Ni system seems a very promising catalyst alternative to be used in commercial fuel processors.