Evaluation of Pd-based catalysts and the influence of operating conditions for autothermal reforming of dimethyl ether

• Published in: Applied catalysis. B, Environmental Vol. 76; no. 1-2; pp. 42 - 50
• Main Authors: Nilsson, Marita, Jozsa, Peter, Pettersson, Lars J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 30.10.2007; Elsevier
• Subjects: Autothermal reforming; Auxiliary power unit; Catalysis; Chemical engineering; Chemistry; Dimethyl ether; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Hydrogen; Indexing in process; Kemiteknik; Q1; TECHNOLOGY; TEKNIKVETENSKAP; Theory of reactions, general kinetics. Catalysis. Nomenclature, chemical documentation, computer chemistry; Dimethyl ether; Auxiliary power unit; Hydrogen; Autothermal reforming; Ether; Palladium; Reforming; Supported catalyst; Operating conditions; Heterogeneous catalysis; Alumina; Platinoid; Catalyst; Environmental protection; autothermal reforming; dimethyl ether; auxiliary power unit; hydrogen
• ISSN: 0926-3373; 1873-3883; 1873-3883
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2007.05.011

A series of different Pd-based catalysts supported on ceramic monoliths were synthesized and tested in a screening study for autothermal reforming of dimethyl ether (DME). Alumina-supported Pd was shown to be very active for this reaction at temperatures between 350 and 400°C. Adding Zn to Pd/γ-Al2O3 decreased the activity of decomposition reactions leading to better reforming activity, and resulting in high selectivity to carbon dioxide. Pd-Zn/γ-Al2O3 was further evaluated in a parameter study varying oxygen-to-DME ratio, steam-to-DME ratio and temperature. The effect on the reformer performance of changing the operating conditions is discussed. The Pd-Zn/γ-Al2O3 catalyst generated carbon monoxide concentrations below 5%, and hydrogen concentrations close to 50%. The catalyst performance was significantly improved by preconditioning in hydrogen. Results from a first round of catalyst characterization studies suggest that Pd–Zn species are formed on the alumina support following reduction.