Effect of Promoter on Mesoporous Supports for Increased H/sub 2/ Production from Sugar Reforming

Several transition metals on various mesoporous supports have been targeted as potential novel catalysts for the liquid phase reforming of biomass derived oxygenated hydrocarbons. This paper presents the investigation of the effect of supports, promoters and the cause of deactivation due to carbon deposits on liquid phase reforming using different feeds. Experimental results have shown that different catalyst supports appear to have different activity and stability towards liquid phase reforming. Addition of promoters appears to have enhanced catalytic activity for hydrogen production and reduced the amount of coke deposited on the metal sites. The different types of carbonaceous species present on the spent catalysts implies that variation in the metal, support and feed may all have a significant effect on the type and location of carbon that will be deposited and the subsequent catalyst deactivation.