(621ae) Coal-Supported Metallic Catalyst for Steam Reforming of Hydrocarbons

Coal is able to disperse metallic species via ion-exchange associated with carboxyl functional groups. Fine dispersion of the active component can be also achieved by impregnation onto high surface area of the pyrolyzed coal. Hydrophobic coal support possibly enhance the catalytic contact of hydrocarbon reactants and lessen the deactivation associated with the carbon deposition. Therefore, use of the coal support is attractive enough to be explored, even though it is applicable only at reducing condition. In the work, coal-supported metallic catalysts are made according to abovementioned processes followed by the calcination. Low rank coal shows high ion exchange capacity and therefore scatters nano-sized metal particles over the coal matrix. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirms the presence of the small particles (< 10 nm). Catalytic steam reforming of toluene, ethyl acetate, and other hydrocarbons over Ni/coal is performed to produce H₂, considering the influence of reaction temperature, Ni loading, steam to carbon ratio (S/C), and gas hourly space velocity (GHSV). The catalyst shows relatively high and consistent activity even at 400 °C during 100 hr continuous operation, indicating reduced carbon deposition.