Steam reforming of butanol-ethanol mixture for H2 production over Ru catalysts

The present work investigates the steam reforming of butanol - ethanol mixtures for H2 production over Ru-based catalysts. A 5 wt% Ru/Al2O3 and a 5 wt% Ru/MgO-Al2O3 catalysts were synthesized via the wet impregnation method and physicochemically characterized with various techniques. Catalytic activity tests were carried out using a ButOH/EtOH/H2O mixture between 550 and 700 degrees C. The ButOH and EtOH conversion as well as H2 selectivity were found to be equal to ca. 100 % for all tested catalysts at 700 degrees C. The superior performance of Ru/Al2O3 compared to its Ru/MgO-Al2O3 counterpart was mainly attributed to the higher Ru metal dispersion achieved in the former case. The presence of MgO appears to suppress the H2 selectivity in favor of hydrocarbon reaction intermediates production. The higher activity and H2 selectivity of the Ru/Al2O3 is accompanied by remarkable stability after 45 h of exposure to the reaction mixture at 700 degrees C. Our work suggests that Ru-based catalysts may outperform Pt-based ones in technically challenging steam reforming processes involving alcohol mixtures toward H2 production.

Automated summary

This study investigates the steam reforming of butanol - ethanol mixtures for H2 production over Ru-based catalysts. Two different catalysts, 5 wt% Ru/Al2O3 and 5 wt% Ru/MgO-Al2O3, were synthesized and characterized. Catalytic activity tests showed that both catalysts achieved approximately 100% conversion of ButOH and EtOH to H2 at 700 degrees C, with Ru/Al2O3 outperforming Ru/MgO-Al2O3 due to higher Ru metal dispersion. The presence of MgO suppressed H2 selectivity in favor of hydrocarbon reaction intermediates production. After 45 hours of exposure to the reaction mixture, Ru/Al2O3 showed remarkable stability at 700 degrees C. This work suggests that Ru-based catalysts may be superior to Pt-based catalysts in steam reforming processes involving alcohol mixtures for H2 production.