CATALYSTS FOR HYDROGEN PRODUCTION FOR LOW TEMPERATURE FUEL CELLS BY STEAM REFORMING AND AUTOTHERMAL REFORMING OF ALCOHOLS

摘要

The present invention involves the use of the cerium oxide based catalysts with or without 0.5 - 10 wt % of alkaline and alkaline earth promoters (Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Fr, Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ra) and mixed oxides containing ceria and zirconia and/or yttria an/or lanthanide elements (CexM1-xO2; M = Zr, Y, La, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu and 0.1< x < 0.9) on the steam reforming and autothermal reforming at low temperatures of alcohols, in particular ethanol, or a mixture of these alcohols, like, for example, bio- ethanol. Low temperature was defined as 723-823 K. The catalysts of this invention exhibit good activity and stability, high selectivity to hydrogen, low formation of carbon monoxide (< 150 ppm), small amounts of acetaldehyde and ethene and no production of ketone.