High efficiency steam reforming of ethanol by cobalt-based catalysts

• Published in: Journal of power sources 2004-07, Vol.134 (1), p.27-32
• Main Authors: Batista, Marcelo S, Santos, Rudye K.S, Assaf, Elisabete M, Assaf, José M, Ticianelli, Edson A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Electrochemical conversion: primary and secondary batteries, fuel cells; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Ethanol; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel cell; Fuel cells; Hydrogen; Methanation; Reforming; WGS
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2004.01.052

The steam reforming of ethanol was studied at 400 °C on Co/Al 2O 3 and Co/SiO 2 catalysts with a cobalt content of 8 and 18% (w/w), respectively. Catalysts were prepared by the impregnation method and characterized by atomic absorption spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and temperature-programmed reduction with hydrogen. The results indicated the presence of Co 3O 4 as the main phase of cobalt and CoO x species interactions with alumina. The catalysts showed average conversion higher than 70% for the steam reforming of ethanol at 400 °C. The increase of ethanol conversion and reduction of the amount of liquid products were observed for the catalysts with higher cobalt contents. The CO concentration in the gaseous mixture is reduced to 800 ppm levels for the Co/Al 2O 3 catalyst with 18% of cobalt. During ethanol reformation, the CO produced can react with water (water gas shift, WGS) or hydrogen (methanation, without water) on Co sites. Both reactions, WGS and methanation, allows high conversion on the Co/Al 2O 3 and Co/SiO 2 catalysts, but Co/Al 2O 3 shows better CO removal.