Hydrogen production by catalytic partial oxidation of methane and propane on Ni and Pt catalysts

In recent years the catalytic partial oxidation has been taken into consideration as a suitable process for hydrogen production, because of its exothermic nature which makes the process less energy and capital cost intensive with respect to Steam Reforming. In this paper the behaviour of three different catalyst typologies, two based on Ni-Al2O3 (different in active phase composition) and one constituted by Pt supported on CeO2, is studied for partial oxidation of propane (as representative of Liquefied Petroleum Gas). For comparison the same catalysts have been tested also in methane partial oxidation. The catalytic properties have been evaluated in terms of yield and selectivity to H2 and carbon compounds as function of reaction temperature, space velocity and air/fuel molar ratio, by using a not diluted mixture as feed. Durability and Temperature Programmed Oxidation (TPO) tests have been carried out in order to investigate the catalyst stability and resistance towards carbon deposition. The results evidenced high selectivity of Ni catalysts and the potentialities of Pt-CeO2 interaction in hydrogen production and in limiting carbon deposition, thanks to properties of ceria as oxygen carrier.