Comparison of Noble Metal- and Copper-Based Catalysts for the Step of Methanol Steam Reforming in the Dimethyl Ether Steam Reforming Process

International audienceThe kinetic behavior of noble metal catalysts (Pt and Rh supported on Al2O3/CeO2 mixed oxides) and of Cu catalysts (conventional CuO–ZnO–Al2O3 (CZA) catalyst and CuFe2O4 spinel) has been compared in methanol steam reforming, which is the second step in the steam reforming of dimethyl ether (SRD). To ascertain the adequacy of these catalysts for use as metallic function in the bifunctional catalyst for SRD, the experiments have been performed in the 200–500 °C range, which are conditions of interest for this process. The reaction mechanisms differ between these catalyst families because the initial step is methanol dehydrogenation on noble metal catalysts and direct reforming on Cu catalysts. Nevertheless, the H2 yield on CuFe2O4 spinel and Pt/CeO2 catalysts is similar, 97% at 400 °C. This good behavior of the CuFe2O4 spinel as metallic function has also been proven in the SRD process on a CuFe2O4/γ-Al2O3 bifunctional catalyst. Therefore, bearing in mind its better performance and moderate cost, CuFe2O4 spinel is a suitable alternative to the conventional CZA catalyst in the preparation of bifunctional catalysts for SRD