Dry Reforming of Ethanol Based on Copper Catalyst

Abstract

In this article, the catalytic activity of copper oxide supported on 5A, HZSM-5, Al₂O₃, SiO₂ carriers in the reaction of dry reforming of ethanol was investigated. The results of the study showed that the formation of Н₂, СО, С₂Н₄ and СН₄ gases in the reaction products depends on the reaction temperature and the catalytic activity of the catalyst. The 3%CuO/Al₂O₃ catalyst showed activity for obtaining synthesis gas at T = 800 °C, and the 5%CuO/SiO₂ catalyst showed activity for obtaining ethylene at T = 550 °C. 20.6 vol.% H₂ and 37.5 vol.% CO are formed on the 3%CuO/Al₂O₃ catalyst. In order to increase the ethylene concentration, the effect of copper concentration supported on the SiO₂ carrier in the DRE process was studied. According to the obtained data, on the 5%CuO/SiO₂ catalyst the ethylene concentration increased to 35 vol.%. The catalytic activity is confirmed by peaks in the TPR profile, according to which the reduction of CuO to Cu⁰ in the 5%CuO/SiO₂ catalyst occurs more easily and at lower temperatures compared to other catalysts. The reduction of oxides to metals at low temperatures on the catalyst surface allows increasing the catalytic activity of the catalyst.