Catalizadores Cu-Zn-Al. Preparación, Caracterización y Actividad en la reacción de Reformado de Etanol

BARROSO M. NOELIA; GOMEZ MANUEL F.; ARRÚA LUIS A.; ABELLO M. CRISTINA

Mérida (Yucatán), México

Simposio; XIX Simposio Iberoamericano de Catálisis; 2004

Cu-Zn-Al catalysts have been prepared by citric complexing  method to be tested in ethanol reforming to produce hydrogen. The samples have been characterized by XRD, AAS, SBET and TPR. The preparation method has a significant influence on the catalyst structure. The samples with Cu contents higher than 13 wt. % presented two crystalline phases (CuO and ZnAl2O4). Zn and Al species were mainly incorporated into the aluminate matrix. The presence of ZnO, CuAl2O4 and Al2O3 could not be ruled out. The reduction temperature of Cu species decreased by the presence of Zn and they were completely reduced in the temperature range in which the H2 production from ethanol occurs. All catalysts were active at 500°C, with ethanol conversion between 98% for the catalyst with 1 wt.% Cu and 77.3 % for the catalyst with 21 wt.% Cu. The main reaction products were H2, CO2 and CH4. C2H4 and CO in a minor amounts were also formed. The catalyst with 1 wt.% Cu was the most active one. However, the hydrogen yield was practically insensitive to Cu contents.