Abstract
Reaction of an activated carbon with hydrogen atoms was carried out using a microwave discharge flow apparatus to elucidate the conditions under which carbonaceous material such as carbon deposit on the catalyst was efficiently gasified by the interaction with atomic hydrogen. Hydrocarbons mainly consisted of methane were produced steadily. DRIFTS spectra and pyridine extraction of the activated carbon after the reaction with hydrogen atoms showed that functional groups due to partially hydrogenated moieties were not formed on the surface of the activated carbon during the irradiation of atomic hydrogen.
Regeneration of coked Ni/SiO2 catalyst induced by atomic hydrogen was investigated through the catalytic reaction of CO/H2 mixture. The catalytic activity and selectivity of the coked catalyst were substantially regenerated by the treatment of hydrogen atoms at 573 K, under 279 Pa for less than 1 h. In contrast, regeneration could not be achieved by the treatment of H2 at the same temperature. A plausible scheme for the reaction of carbonaceous materials deposited on the catalyst with atomic hydrogen was qualitatively discussed.
