<b>Study of catalysts based on copper and niobium oxide in steam reforming of ethanol</b> - DOI: 10.4025/actascitechnol.v29i1.78

Abstract

Cu/Nb₂O₅ catalysts were modified by the incorporation of MgO or K₂O (support acidity reducer) and Ni (a facilitator of the bond break C-C) to be used in the ethanol reforming in bench-scale unit with catalytic bed of 7 g at 573 K, varying the space velocity and the molar rate of the reagents in order to optimize the process of production of hydrogen with consequent decrease of by-products. The catalysts were characterized by specific superficial area, X-ray diffraction and temperature programmed reduction. Results showed that the introduction of the basic oxide or a second metal, nickel, lead to an increase in the porosity and in the temperature at the beginning of copper reduction in the catalyst. The acidity reduction of the support decreased the formation of by-products and increased the hydrogen formation. Nickel as a second metal increased the production of CO and CH₄