Development of new Cu0-ZnII/Al2O3 catalyst supported on copper metallic foam for the production of hydrogen by methanol steam reforming

Copper metallic foam with thermal conductive properties, manufactured by S.C.P.S., has been investigated as a support for catalysts to improve thermal exchange inside the reactor for the endothermic steam reforming of methanol. Thus, we have developed a procedure for the in situ preparation of a Cu-0-Zn-II/Al2O3 catalyst onto the copper metallic foam. The foam-based Cu-0-Zn-II/Al2O3 catalyst shows an activity three times as high as commercial catalysts for a conversion of 74% of methanol into hydrogen.