Autothermal reforming of Fischer-Tropsch diesel over alumina and ceria-zirconia supported catalysts

Autothermal reforming (ATR) of synthetic Fischer-Tropsch diesel has been carried out to evaluate the fuel reformer and the catalyst performance at realistic operating conditions. Hydrogen was produced via ATR in a full-scale reformer (ID = 84 mm, L = 400 mm) at 650-750 degrees C. The two monolithic catalysts were sequentially located in the reformer and simultaneously tested. The catalysts were composed of 1:1 wt% Rh:Pt as active metals; CeO2, MgO, Y2O3, and La2O3 were used as promoters. The first catalytic monolith was supported on delta-Al2O3 and the second on CeO2-ZrO2. Fresh samples were characterized by N-2-BET, XRD and H-2-TPR analyses. Catalyst activity was evaluated at O-2/C similar to 0.34-0.45 and H2O/C similar to 2-3. Results show an increased catalyst activity after the second monolithic catalyst due to the effect of steam reforming, water-gas shift reaction (WGS) and higher catalyst reducibility of RhxOy species on the CeO2-ZrO2 mixed oxide as a result of the improved redox properties. Hydrogen concentrations of 42 vol% and fuel conversion of 98% after the CeO2-ZrO2-supported catalyst was obtained at O-2/C = 0.42 and H2O/C = 2.5. (c) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.