Hydrogen generation characteristics of reduced DME steam reforming catalysts according to heating methods

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the hydrogen generation characteristics of H2-reduced dimethyl ether (DME) steam reforming (SR) catalysts using different heating processes. The effects of the H2 reduction temperature and space velocity were investigated to identify an optimal reaction environment. Both the resistive and induction heating methods were used. The catalysts were prepared by impregnating copper over a γ-Al2O3 support. The Cu/Al2O3 catalysts with different loading amounts of 5–15 wt% Cu exhibited different characteristics when subjected to hydrogen reduction. The variation in acidity had a dominant effect on the DME-SR activity, and 15Cu/Al2O3 that underwent hydrogen reduction treatment at 500 °C attained improved performance at low temperatures and low formation of by-products, allowing for the achievement of its highest H2 concentration of 74.08% at 375 °C. The induction heating reactor had an energy consumption that was about 25% lower than that of the resistive heating reactor.