Steam Reforming of Ethanol over Ni/Al2O3−La2O3 Catalysts Synthesized by Sol−Gel

Abstract

The activity of Ni/Al2O3−La2O3 catalysts prepared by sol−gel process for hydrogen production using ethanol steam reforming was studied. The effect of Ni and La loading in the reaction activity and hydrogen selectivity was analyzed. The catalytic measurements were performed on a fixed-bed microreactor for a 6 h period; within this time, the catalysts showed partial deactivation. The catalyst containing 12 wt % La showed the highest yield to H2, but it also presented the highest deactivation. The other catalysts with the same Ni loading showed a decrease in H2 yield over time. The increase of Ni loading from 5 to 10 wt % caused an increase in H2 and CO yields in all La containing catalysts. The catalyst supported on sol−gel synthesized alumina showed the highest activity after 6 h on stream. This catalyst showed the lowest deactivation from all the systems that were studied. Polymeric and graphitic carbon were identified by DTA analysis of the spent catalysts. TGA analysis showed that the total coke deposit...