Modification the Oxalic Co-precipitation Method on a Novel Catalyst Cu/Zn/Al2O3/Cr2O3 for Autothermal Reforming Reaction of Methanol

This study addresses the catalytic performance of Cu/ZnO/Al2O3/Cr2O3 in low-temperature of autothermal reforming (ATR) reaction. Various operating conditions were used to decide the optimum reaction conditions: type of promoter (ZrO2, CeO2, and Cr2O3), precipitation temperature, precipitation pH, operation temperature, molar ratio of O2/CH3OH (O/C), and weight hourly space velocity (WHSV). The catalysts were prepared using the oxalic coprecipitation method. Characterization of the catalyst was conducted using a porosity analyzer, XRD, and SEM. The methanol conversion and volumetric percentage of hydrogen using the best catalyst (Cu/ZnO/Al2O3/Cr2O3) exceeded 93% and 43%, respectively. A catalyst prepared by precipi-tation at -5 °C and at pH of 1 converted methanol to 40% H2 and less than 3000 ppm CO at reaction temperature of 200 °C. The size and dispersion of copper and the degradation rate and turnover frequency of the catalyst was also calculated. Deactivation of the Cu catalyst at a reaction temperature of 200 °C occurred after 30 h.