Kinetic study of the steam reforming of isobutane using a Pt-CeO2-Gd2O3 Catalyst

Steam reforming of isobutane on a 0.5% Pt-Ce0.8Gd0.2O1.9 catalyst was carried out from 300 to 700 degrees C under integral conditions with a gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) of 12,000 h(-1). The major products were H-2, CO2, CO and CH4. The other products produced were ethane, ethylene, propane and propylene with a total molar composition of less than 1.5%. A complete conversion of isobutane was achieved at 700 degrees C, Kinetic data was obtained by changing the partial pressure of the reactants and the temperature under differential conditions with a GHSV of 55,400 h(-1). This was done after observing stable isobutane steam reforming for 160 h and under conditions where the mass transfer limitations were insignificant. An empirical Langmuir-Hinshelwood type model that best fit the kinetic data available was developed.