Zr-enhanced stability of ceria based supports for methane steam reforming at severe reaction conditions

BARONETTI, GRACIELA; FORTI, MORA; IGLESIAS, IGNACIO; MARIÑO, FERNANDO

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY

PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

Año: 2019 vol. 44 p. 8121 - 8132

0360-3199

Ceria based supports are an interesting choice for methane steam reforming due to their coke precursor´s gasification activity and ability to stabilize nickel particles. However, sintering and coking studies with this type of catalysts is lacking, particularly at low temperature (600 °C) and low water/methane feed ratio (R ≤ 2). In this work, nickel catalysts supported on an optimized Zr-doped ceria were tested for methane steam reforming at various water/methane feed ratios and contact times. Zr addition improved both sintering and coking resistance; as studied separately by means of XRD and CH 4 -TPSR followed by O 2 -TPO and self-decoking experiments. Carbon deposition/gasification mechanisms on ceria based supports were discussed. Optimized Ni[sbnd]Ce[sbnd]Zr formulation was proven to be a highly stable catalyst for methane steam reforming at the conditions mentioned above.