Low Temperature Methane Steam Reforming: Catalytic Activity and Coke Deposition Study

Abstract

Low temperature steam reforming combined with hydrogen-selective membrane offers significant advantages in terms of energy conservation, reduction of GHG emissions and low cost operation. In this study, Ni supported on La/CeO2-ZrO2 is evaluated under steam reforming at temperature <550 C. The catalyst is highly active in steam reforming of methane and water gas shift reaction. Stability test at simulated biogas steam reforming was conducted and the catalyst showed extremely stable performance for long time on stream (90 h) and very low amount of carbonaceous deposits, as determined by TPO and TPH. The above characteristics demonstrate that this catalyst is a potential candidate for use in membrane reactors operating at low temperature for the one-step production of pure hydrogen.