Selective Production of Methane from Aqueous Biocarbohydrate Streams over a Mixture of Platinum and Ruthenium Catalysts

• Published in: ChemSusChem 2014-02, Vol.7 (2), p.627-630
• Main Authors: Neira D'Angelo, Maria Fernanda, Ordomsky, Vitaly, van der Schaaf, John, Schouten, Jaap C., Nijhuis, Tjeerd Alexander
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: aqueous-phase reforming; carbohydrates; Carbon Dioxide - chemistry; Catalysis; heterogeneous catalysis; Methane - chemistry; platinum; Platinum - chemistry; ruthenium; Ruthenium - chemistry; Sorbitol - chemistry; Water - chemistry
• ISSN: 1864-5631; 1864-564X
• DOI: 10.1002/cssc.201300828

A one‐step process for the selective production of methane from low‐value aqueous carbohydrate streams is proposed. Sorbitol, used herein as a model compound, is fully converted to methane, CO2, and a minor amount of H2 by using a physical mixture of Pt and Ru (1:5 in mass basis) at 220 °C and 35 bar. This conversion is the result of hydrogenolysis of part of the sorbitol over Ru and the in situ production of H2 through the aqueous‐phase reforming of the remaining carbohydrate over Pt. A synergistic effect of the combination of these two catalysts results in the rapid and highly selective conversion of the carbohydrate to methane. This process offers the possibility of upgrading a low‐value carbohydrate stream into a valuable fuel with no addition of H2. Exergy analysis reveals that nearly 80 % of the exergy of the reactant is recovered as methane. Twice as precious: A one‐step process for the selective production of methane by hydrogenolysis of low‐value diluted bio‐based carbohydrates with in situ hydrogen production is proposed (see picture). Sorbitol is used as a model compound that can be fully converted into methane, carbon dioxide and a minor amount of hydrogen over a Pt/Ru catalyst.