Hydrogen production by steam reforming of dimethyl ether over Cu–Zn/CeO 2–ZrO 2 catalytic monoliths

Abstract

Several catalytic monoliths containing Cu, Zn, or Cu–Zn supported on CeO 2, ZrO 2, or CeO 2–ZrO 2 were prepared and tested for the dimethyl ether steam reforming reaction under a steam to carbon ratio of S/C = 1.5 at 473–823 K. The best catalytic performance in terms of stability, hydrogen yield, and low CO production was obtained over Cu–Zn/ZrO 2 catalytic monoliths (2.1 × 10 −3 mol DME h −1 g cat −1 converted with S H 2 = 96 % and S C O 2 = 90 % at 753 K). Catalytic monoliths were characterized by XRD, SEM, EDX, NH 3-TPD as well as by long-term catalytic and mechanical stability tests.