Producing hydrogen by catalytic steam reforming of methanol using non-noble metal catalysts.

Current energy systems have a significant environmental impact and contribute to the climate change. The future energy systems must call upon clean and renewable sources, capable of producing energy with low CO 2 emission, hence partly decarbonizing the energy sector. Producing H 2 by catalytic steam reforming of methanol (CSRM) is gaining interest for its specific applications in fuel cells, in a decentralized H 2 production, or to locally boost the heat content of e.g. natural gas. Supported metal catalysts enhance the endothermic steam-driven methanol conversion. The paper discusses the CSRM manufactures and assesses 2 novel, cheap and efficient catalysts (Co/α-Al 2 O 3 and MnFe 2 O 4). The performance of the Co/α-Al 2 O 3 catalyst is significantly superior to MnFe 2 O 4. The methanol conversion exceeds 95% with high H 2 yields (>2.5 mol H 2 /mol CH 3 OH) and low CO and CO 2 by-product formation. The methanol reaction is very fast and a nearly constant product distribution is achieved for gas-catalyst contact times in excess of 0.3 s. The catalyst maintains its efficiency and selectivity for several days of reaction. The hydrogen productivity of the Co/α-Al 2 O 3 is about 0.9 L H 2 g cat −1 h−1., nearly a fourfold of the MnFe 2 O 4 alternative. The different occurring reactions are combined in a kinetics analysis and demonstrate the high rate of reaction and the predicted product distribution. A catalytic sintered metal fleece reactor is finally developed, mostly in view of its integration with a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). The assessed CSRM system clearly merits further pilot plant research. • The catalytic steam reforming of methanol is investigated. • Co/α-Al 2 O 3 and MnFe 2 O 4 were used as catalysts. • The yield is about 2.5 mol H 2 /mol CH 3 OH. CO and CO 2 are by-products. • No catalyst coking is observed. • The reaction rate is very high: complete CH 3 OH conversion is achieved within 0.3 s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]