Removal of CO from methanol reforming gas by low temperature shift reaction

Abstract

Abstract Copper catalysts supported on mixed oxides were investigated for CO removal in the methanol steam reformed gas. Although Cu/Al 2 O 3 -ZnO demonstrated excellent activity for water gas shift reaction (WGSR; CO + H 2 O → CO 2 + H 2 ), further removal of CO in the reformed gas applied as a fuel for polymer electrolyte fuel cells is required. It is difficult to remove trace CO in the reformed gas through WGSR, however, O 2 addition to the reformed gas is effective to enhance the CO removal through CO oxidation. Cu/Al 2 O 3 -ZnO also demonstrated excellent activity for catalytic removal of CO by WGSR and selective CO oxidation (CO + 1/2O 2 → CO 2 ). This indicates that the design of an active shift / oxidation catalyst operative at 100-150°C is a possible method for selective removal of CO in the methanol reforming gas.