KINETIC-STUDY OF STEAM REFORMING OF METHANOL OVER COPPER-BASED CATALYSTS

Steam reforming of methanol has been studied over various copper-based catalysts at temperatures from 443 to 533 K. Screening experiments showed that a coprecipitated CuO-ZnO-Al2O3 low-temperature methanol synthesis catalyst had the highest activity and did not deactivate with time on line. It also exhibited 100% selectivity to carbon dioxide and hydrogen (the desired reaction products). Kinetic measurements made over the coprecipitated CuO-ZnO-Al2O3 were found to fit the power law expression: r(SR) = k0e-1.5 kJ/mol/RTP(MeOH)0.26P(H2O)0.03P(H-2)-0.2 Carbon dioxide was found to have no effect on the kinetics of steam reforming of methanol. When carbon monoxide was added to the feed there was negligible influence on the steam reforming reaction with an order of 0.016 being observed.