Hydrogen production via catalytic gasification of ethanol. A mechanism proposal over copper–nickel catalysts

Ethanol gasification using Cu–Ni–K/γ-Al2O3 catalysts was studied. The reaction was carried out at a low temperature (300°C) and atmospheric pressure. The influence of the diffusional effects, the residence time and the water/ethanol molar ratio in the feed on the ethanol conversion and on the product distribution was analysed. Additional experiments were performed with monometallic catalysts, such as Cu–K/γ-Al2O3 and Ni–K/γ-Al2O3 catalysts. l gasification is favoured by a diminution of the diffusional resistances, high residence time and low water to ethanol feed ratio. A probable reaction mechanism is postulated, which is consistent with the experimental results and let identify the function of each metal (copper and nickel).