PRODUCTION OF HYDROGEN BY STEAM REFORMING OF BIO-ETHANOL OVER NICKEL-COPPER BIMETALLIC CATALYSTS

In the present study, nickel-copper bimetallic catalysts were investigated for the steam reforming of bio-ethanol. A comparison was made to the 10% nickel and the different content of copper supported on gamma-Al2O3 promoted by MgO. Experimental results showed that the 10Ni5Cu/MgO/gamma-Al2O3 catalyst was superior to other catalysts, especially in terms of the hydrogen-to-carbon monoxide ratio. Influential factors, such as reaction temperature, water-to-ethanol molar ratio, and liquid hourly space velocity ( LHSV), were investigated using the 10Ni5Cu/MgO/gamma-Al2O3 catalyst. The conversions were always completed at temperatures above 400 degrees C, regardless of the changes of the reaction conditions. However, the yield to hydrogen increased with the increase in temperature and H2O/C2H5OH molar ratio. The hydrogen yield up to 71% was reached under these conditions: 550 degrees C, LHSV of 5.0 h(-1), and H2O/C2H5OH ratio of 10 over the 10Ni5Cu/MgO/gamma-Al2O3 catalyst. The effects of the influential factors on the side reactions and the distribution of by-products were also discussed.