TITLE:
Improvement of a Mesh-Type Cu/Ni/γ-Al2O3/Al Catalyst for Steam Reforming of Dimethyl Ether by Metal (Fe, Zn or La) Addition for CO in Situ Removal
AUTHORS:
Qi Zhang, Yameng Chu, Xiaoqian Deng, Li Zhang, Hualong Chu
KEYWORDS:
Anodic Alumina, Dimethyl Ether, Hydrogen, Fe Promoter, CO Removal
JOURNAL NAME:
Modern Research in Catalysis,
Vol.7 No.1,
January
31,
2018
ABSTRACT: A mesh-type structured anodic alumina supported Cu/Ni bi-functional catalyst was developed for steam reforming of dimethyl ether (SRD). It was found that the Cu/Ni/γ-Al2O3/Al catalyst had remarkable catalytic activity and stability, but a high CO selectivity. Therefore, a multi-functional catalyst was proposed by metals (Fe, Zn, or La) addition to inhibit CO formation during the SRD process. The results show that promoter Fe can improve the Cu dispersion and decrease the reduction temperature of catalyst, and CO selectivity was minimized from 27% to around 3%. However, the addition of Zn and La only can decrease the CO selectivity to 12%. Furthermore, there was an excellent synergetic effect between Cu/Ni/γ-Al2O3 and Fe over the Cu/Ni/Fe/γ-Al2O3/Al catalyst by evaluating catalytic performance of catalysts with different packing structures. And the synergetic mechanism of the active components (γ-Al2O3, Cu or Cu2O, and Fe3O4) for SRD and CO in suit removal was proposed. Finally, a 400-h durability test was carried out and the results show that the Cu/Ni/Fe/γ-Al2O3/Al catalyst had an excellent stability with a 100% DME conversion and low CO selectivity.