A Deactivation Model for Methanol-Steam Reformation on Cu/ZnO/Al_2O_3 Catalyst for Optimizing the Production of Fuel-Cell Hydrogen

摘要

The reforming of methanol is acknowledged as a convenient means to generate hydrogen for a PEFC due to the low temperature (<280 °C) at which the reaction occurs and the low CO content of the reformate. However, the catalyst is prone to deactivation at its operating temperatures. This paper presents a model for the deactivation of the catalyst based upon a comprehensive kinetic scheme and a series of long duration rate measurements. The model is used to study the influence of reactor wall temperature and catalyst charge upon the service life of the catalyst. It is found, for the assumed mode of operating the reactor, that the life of the catalyst is sensitive to the reactor wall temperature.