Steam reforming of methanol on Ni/Al₂O₃ catalyst in a Pd-membrane reactor

Steam reforming of methanol as a hydrogen producing catalytic reaction was studied in a Pd-membrane reactor. The activities, stabilities, and selectivities of Cu/ZnO, Ni/Al₂0₃, and Ru/Al₂0₃ catalysts were tested using a conventional fixed-bed flow reactor. Ni/Al₂0₃ catalyst showed the most stable activity at 723 K but relatively low hydrogen yield because of methanation. However, the hydrogen-permeable membrane reactor suppressed methanation, and hydrogen yield was enhanced compared with the conventional reactor. The membrane reactor was more efficient at higher temperatures and higher W/F.