Deactivation and regeneration of Cu/Cr based methanol decomposition catalysts

Multicomponent Cu/Cr containing catalysts have been studied for the decomposition of methanol to CO/H-2. These Cu containing catalysts are quite active for the reaction. However, slow deactivation was observed in the life-time study. The activity of the deactivated catalysts can be completely restored by a treatment in O-2 containing atmosphere followed by reduction in H-2. Characterizations of deactivated and regenerated catalysts indicate that carbonaceous deposit is a cause of catalyst deactivation. Crystallite size of active metallic Cu species does not change during deactivation and after regeneration. The regeneration process decreases the carbonaceous content with no significant change in the Cu dispersion and restores the activity.