Catalytic hydrogen generator for use with methanol.

摘要

A catalytic hydrogen generator which generates hydrogen by the partial oxidation of methanol by oxygen (usually supplied as air) which comprises a gas permeable catalyst system having an upstream zone (2) filled with a copper catalyst supported on a refractory support (3) (for example silica or silicate granules) and a downstream zone (4) filled with a mixture of a similar supported copper catalyst and a platinum or palladium catalyst supported on a similar refractory support (5b). A mixture of methanol and oxygen is fed to the upstream zone and initially permeates through to the downstream zone where spontaneous oxidation of the methanol is initiated raising the temperature of the system to a level at which partial oxidation of methanol in the presence of the copper catalyst in the upstream zone (2) commences and produces hydrogen.