Stability of Ni catalysts promoted with niobia for butanol steam reforming

Abstract

Nickel catalysts were synthesized by wet impregnation of different supports: γ-Al2O3 and alumina promoted with 10 wt% Nb2O5. The catalysts were evaluated in butanol steam reforming at 500 °C, atmospheric pressure and GHSV of 500,000 h−1. Niobia addition increased nickel dispersion (1.9%) and reducibility (99%) by decreasing nickel aluminate formation. Moreover, catalyst acidity was reduced from 3.1 to 2.2 μmol NH3 m−2 and became weaker by niobia incorporation. The promoted catalyst presented higher mean hydrogen yield (55%) and stability, associated with the higher dispersion and lower amount of coke formation by carbon converted (2.8 mmol L mol−1).