Sulfur Resistance of Rh/CeO₂-Al₂O₃ Catalysts During Steam Reforming of Jet Fuels at Low Temperature

Sulfur-poisoning of noble metal supported CeO₂-Al₂O₃ catalysts for the steam reforming of sulfur-containing model jet fuel (NORPAR-13) was studied at both low and high temperature. Sulfur poisoning of the current 2%Rh/CeO₂-Al₂O₃ catalyst was very severe even in the presence of 33 ppm sulfur. The product composition was constant throughout test: ∼ 58.5% H₂, 19.6% CH₄, ∼ 21.8% CO₂, and < 1% CO. There was no H₂S (within the detection limit) in the product gas. The excellent sulfur-resistant catalyst provided more flexibility for fuel cell application. The promoted bimetallic Rh-Ni/CeO₂-Al₂O₃ catalyst was sulfur-tolerant and showed excellent activity for the pre-reforming of jet fuel containing 33 ppm sulfur.