Dimethyl Ether Steam Reforming Utilizing Cu-based Catalysts Derived from Mg1–xCuxAl2O4 and γ-Al2O3

• Published in: Journal of the Japan Petroleum Institute 2021/09/01, Vol.64(5), pp.226-237
• Main Authors: TADA, Shohei, OTSUKA, Fumito, KIKUCHI, Ryuji
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aluminum oxide; Catalysts; Chemical synthesis; Copper catalyst; Dimethyl ether; Durability; High temperature; Hydrolysis; Low temperature; Methanol; Precursors; Reforming; Spinel; Spinel-type oxide; Steam; Steam reforming; Toughness; Transitional aluminas
• ISSN: 1346-8804; 1349-273X
• DOI: 10.1627/jpi.64.226

Dimethyl ether (DME) steam reforming reaction is a sequential reaction of DME hydrolysis (catalyst: solid acid) followed by methanol steam reforming (catalyst: Cu-based catalyst). Combination of the catalysts can produce H2 from DME and H2O in one pass. DME hydrolysis proceeds slowly at low temperatures, so the catalyst for DME steam reforming must be operated at relatively high temperatures (300-400 °C). Since this temperature range is higher than that of the typical methanol steam reforming reaction (200-300 °C), a methanol steam reforming catalyst must be developed to operate at 300 °C or higher, with high activity and durability. This study focused on spinel-type oxide MgAl2O4, which has a high surface area and high durability, and found a new catalyst precursor, Mg1–xCuxAl2O4. Spinel-type oxide-supported Cu catalyst was synthesized by reducing the catalyst precursor with H2. The synthesized Cu catalyst combined with γ-Al2O3, which is a solid acid catalyst, exhibited high DME steam reforming reaction activity. The optimum ratio of the Cu catalyst and γ-Al2O3 was in the range of 1 to 2 by weight. This catalyst can be regenerated by calcining in air.