(209b) Kinetic and Process Study for Ethanol Reforming Using a Pt/rh Washcoated Monolith Catalyst

The reforming of pure ethanol was studied over a bimetallic precious metal (Rh/Pt) catalyst deposited on a ceramic monolith in order to analyze reforming process conditions. High ethanol conversion tests performed at low space velocities (< 20,000 h-1) confirmed that the catalyst could achieve 100% ethanol conversion to equilibrium concentrations of H2, CO, CO2 and CH4 Low conversion tests at high space velocities (>50,000 h-1) were conducted to produce an overall rate expression with an activation energy of 76 kJ/mole. The reaction was found to be approximately first order in ethanol, zero order in water for near stoichiometric conditions. In addition, the impact of non-catalytic reactions was studied and the catalyst was capable of reforming ethanol as well as the byproducts from non-catalytic reactions at 500 ? 700°C. This work is part 1 of a series to develop a process for steam reforming E85 (85% ethanol + 15% gasoline) to generate hydrogen for a fuel cell.