Propane steam reforming in micro-channels—results from catalyst screening and optimisation

Wash-coated alumina catalyst coatings introduced into micro-channels were applied for the steam reforming of propane with the aim of hydrogen generation for mobile fuel cell applications. Home-made rhodium, platinum, nickel and palladium catalysts were tested in a standard screening protocol at a steam to carbon ratio 1.4 and 3 temperatures (450, 550 and 650 °C) at 8 ms residence time in the micro-channels and compared to some commercial catalysts. Besides methane, mainly propene was formed as by-product. Rhodium was identified as the best candidate concerning selectivity and activity. The introduction of platinum as a second metallic component and of CeO 2 further improved the performance of the rhodium catalyst. The calcination temperature applied during the catalyst preparation had a drastic effect on platinum catalyst activity but did hardly affect the performance of the Rh/Pt/CeO 2 catalyst. At a steam to carbon ratio of 2.3 and a reaction temperature of 750 °C, the Rh/Pt/CeO 2 catalyst showed full conversion at a turnover frequency of 63 g H 2/g catalyst and hour after 6 h on stream.