The influence of alkali metals on the activity of supported ruthenium catalysts for the water-gas shift reaction

This paper presents the results of the studies on the influence of alkali metals on the activity of ruthenium catalysts, which were supported on the products of alpha- and delta-iron oxide-hydroxide calcination. Modification of these supports with alkali metals, in particular potassium, rubidium and cesium, prior to deposition of ruthenium was found to increase the activity of Ru/Fe2O3 catalysts in the water-gas shift reaction. It was also established that the activity and stability of catalysts prepared on iron oxide obtained from alpha-FeOOH increased when the latter was modified with sodium ions. The favourable effect of sodium on the activity of the catalysts was shown to appear at a certain proportion of the base to the active component, i.e. ruthenium.