Transformation of CH4 and liquid fuels into syngas on monolithic catalysts

Active components comprised of fluorite-like Ln(x)(Ce0.5Zr0.5)(1) O-x(2) (y) (Ln = La, Pr, Sm) and perovskite-like La0.8Pr0.2Mn0.2Cr0.8O3 mixed oxides and their composites with yttria-doped zirconia (YSZ) promoted by precious metals (Pt, Ru) and/or Ni were supported on several types of heat-conducting substrates (compressed Ni-Al foam, Fecralloy foil or gauze protected by corundum layer, Cr-Al-O microchannel cermets, titanium platelets protected by oxidic layer) as well as on honeycomb corundum monolithic substrate. These structured catalysts were tested in pilot-scale reactors in the reactions of steam reforming of methane, selective oxidation of decane and gasoline and steam/autothermal reforming of biofuels (ethanol, acetone, anisole, sunflower oil). Applied procedures of supporting nanocomposite active components on monolithic/structured substrates did not deteriorate their coking stability in real feeds with a small excess of oxidants, which was reflected in good middle-term (up to 200 h) performance stability promising for further up-scaling and long-term tests. Equilibrium yield of syngas at short contact times was achieved by partial oxidation of decane and gasoline without addition of steam usually required to prevent coking. For the first time possibility of successive transformation of biofuels (ethanol, acetone, anisole, sunflower oil) into syngas at short contact times on monolithic catalysts was demonstrated. This was provided by a proper combination of active component, thermal conducting monolithic substrates and unique evaporation/mixing unit used in this research. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.