Methanol Steam Reforming to a Hydrogen-Containing Gas in the Presence of Supported Platinum Catalysts

The properties of supported pelletized (Pt/Ce0.75Zr0.25O2) and structured monolithic platinum catalysts (Pt/Ce0.75Zr0.25O2/η‑Al2O3/FeCrAl) for methanol steam reforming to synthesis gas for feeding solid oxide fuel cells have been studied and compared. Comparative studies show that the active Pt/Ce0.75Zr0.25O2 system is more efficient on a structured monolithic support. In particular, at atmospheric pressure, a temperature of 400°C, and a reaction mixture (30 vol % CH3OH, 35 vol % H2O, 35 vol % N2) weight hourly space velocity of 60 L/(gcat h), the 0.15 wt % Pt/8 wt % Ce0.75Zr0.25O2/6 wt % η-Al2O3/FeCrAl catalyst provides a complete methanol conversion to synthesis gas with a total H2 and CO content of ~60 vol % and a productivity with respect to synthesis gas of ~85 L(H2 + CO)/(gcat h).