Steam and auto-thermal reforming of bio-ethanol over MgO and CeO2 Ni supported catalysts

Ethanol reforming over MgO and CeO2 Ni supported catalysts in molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) simulated operative conditions has been investigated. Results revealed that an optimum O2/C ratio (ATR condition) exists to enhance the performance of both catalysts which otherwise significantly deactivate mainly due to the coke formation. Oxygen contributes to depress coke formation but in some cases promotes acetaldehyde formation specially on Ni/CeO2 catalysts. Very high H2 selectivity (> 98%) in steam reforming (SR) were obtained on both Ni/MgO and Ni/CeO2 catalysts by operating at 650 oC while in ATR conditions a decrease in hydrogen selectivity was observed at high GHSV only since reactions involved in the reaction mechanism are not at equilibrium.