Durability tests of Rh/Al-Ce-Zr catalysts coated on NiCrAl metal foam for ATR of dodecane at high temperature

Abstract

In this study, NiCrAl metal foam was used as the support material. Rh/Al-Ce-Zr-based catalysts were also used as a reforming catalyst, and was coated over a metal foam plate using a rotary vacuum evaporator. The Al-Ce-Zr-based catalytic support material coated over a metal foam plate exhibited a nano-structured morphology. XRD showed that the cerium and zirconium components in the Al-Ce-Zr-based catalytic support material were synthesized in the CeZrO2 crystal structure. CeZrO2 prevents carbon deposition on the catalyst active site due to their high lattice oxygen mobility. The composition of hydrogen by diesel auto-thermal reforming increased with increasing reaction temperature, and 6, 12, and 43% was obtained at 600, 700, and 800°C, respectively. The fuel conversions were 20, 85, and 100%. A long-term activity test of the Rh/Al-Ce-Zr-based catalyst was carried out under the optimal auto-thermal reforming conditions. The composition of hydrogen and carbon monoxide in the dry-product gas was maintained at approximately 45% and 11% during 500 h, respectively. Therefore, the catalytic activity of Rh/Al-Ce-Zr based catalysts for diesel auto-thermal reforming is excellent. The carbon content on the surface of the catalysts after 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 h reactions was investigated by EDX and no carbon deposition was observed.