Hydrocarbon fuel processor catalyst

摘要

A catalyst for use in a hydrocarbon fuel processor for converting, or reforming, a hydrocarbon fuel such as diesel into a simple fuel, most especially hydrogen, comprises a rare earth metal (M) cobalt oxide (McoO3) having the perovskite structure. In one composition the catalyst comprises a solid solution having the perovskite structure of the rare earth metal cobalt oxide, preferably lanthanum cobalt oxide LaCoO3, and an alkaline earth metal cobalt oxide, preferably strontium cobalt oxide SrCoO3. To further enhance the catalytic activity the catalyst can additionally include a noble metal or noble metal oxide such as platinum or ruthenium.