Shaped mesostructured Ni/CeO2 as active catalysts in hydrogen production from acetic acid oxidative steam reforming

Abstract

Oxidative steam reforming (OSR) of acetic acid was carried out using shaped catalysts prepared by combining Ni supported on mesostructured ceria with various clays (kaolinite, sepiolite, attapulgite, and bentonite). Extrudates of bentonite or attapulgite calcined at a heating rate of 1 degrees C/min exhibited superior mechanical resistance, with attapulgite also providing higher acetic acid conversion and hydrogen yield. Operating conditions were optimized to minimize concentration gradients by analyzing external mass transfer limitations and internal diffusion resistance (Weisz-Prater criterion