Production of Hydrogen by Steam Reforming of Methanol Over Novel Nano-Nickel Oxide-Based Catalyst

Abstract

The present investigation deals with the study of steam reforming of methanol for production of hydrogen over alumina (Al2O3)-supported nano-nickel oxide (NiO) in silica catalyst. Nano-NiO in silica was synthesized by sol–gel method. The catalyst was characterized using XRD, SEM, TEM, and BET surface area analyzer. The influence of catalyst activation temperature, reforming temperature, steam to methanol ratio, space velocity on methanol conversion, and product selectivity were studied to observe the contribution of methanol steam reforming, methanol decomposition, and water–gas shift reaction toward the yield of H2. The optimum process parameters established were reaction temperature 425 °C, steam to methanol molar ratio 1.8:1, and space velocity 0.14 kmol of methanol fed per kg catalyst per hour, and under these conditions, maximum 95% conversion of methanol was achieved. The comparative study of catalytic activity revealed that developed indigenous catalyst is superior over other commercial catalysts.