Improvement of performance of palladium-based catalyst for small methanol reformer

• Published in: Chemical engineering science Vol. 65; no. 1; pp. 201 - 207
• Main Authors: Kawamura, Yoshihiro, Yahata, Takashi, Igarashi, Akira
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Catalysis; Catalyst deactivation; Catalytic reactions; Chemical engineering; Chemistry; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel; General and physical chemistry; Methanol reforming; Palladium-based catalyst; Reaction engineering; Reactors; Theory of reactions, general kinetics. Catalysis. Nomenclature, chemical documentation, computer chemistry; Palladium-based catalyst; Catalysis; Catalyst deactivation; Methanol reforming; Reaction engineering; Fuel; Deactivation; Distilled water; Durability; Reforming; Optimization; Producer; pH; Surface area; Catalyst activity; Catalyst; Coprecipitation
• ISSN: 0009-2509; 1873-4405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ces.2009.07.021

In order to achieve long-lasting activity in a small hydrogen producer with a micro methanol reformer, we attempted to improve the performance of a coprecipitated palladium-based catalyst. Examination of the coprecipitation procedure revealed that a catalyst prepared by simultaneous dropping (SD) of a mixed solution of metal salts and a precipitant into distilled water showed superior catalytic activity to one prepared by dropping a precipitant (PD) into a mixed solution of metal salts. It was inferred that in the SD catalyst, the formation of small crystallites of ZnO and a large BET surface area improved catalytic activity. A Pd/ZnO catalyst with superior activity was obtained by subsequent optimization of Pd content and precipitation pH in the SD process. An increase in catalyst durability was achieved by adding a small amount of Si. The improvement in thermal durability due to the addition of Si results in a remarkable enhancement in the life of the Pd/ZnO catalyst.