Coke resistant catalyst for hydrogen production in a versatile, multi-fuel, reformer

Distributed H₂ generation coupled with CO₂ capture has the potential to deliver clean fuel for transportation purposes, especially in remote communities. Here we present a novel potassium doped Ni-Pt/alumina catalyst which shows remarkable activity and stability for oxidative steam reforming of multiple fuels. At an optimum potassium loading of 5 wt%, the catalyst was found to be stable for at least 42 h time-on-stream, with frequent start-up and shut-down. The catalyst provided nearly identical conversions of methanol, gasoline and diesel, H₂ yield and production rates, demonstrating the flexibility of this catalyst for different feedstocks. Potassium doping in the alumina matrix created higher pore surface area, stabilized the Ni ensemble from sintering at high temperatures and prevented nucleation of coke on the Ni surface, making it coke resistant. A K-Al-Si-O type species that formed during the support synthesis along with presence of Pt species on the surface are believed to be the reasons for the stability of catalyst.