Development of supported Rh catalysts for propane steam reforming at low temperature and investigation of its reaction mechanism

Abstract

In the SOFC system for next generation, operation temperature of the system will be decreased.  Hence pre-reforming catalyst which converts propane, a major component of LPG, into C₁ products even at low temperature (≤ 400ºC) is highly demanded. In this study, we prepared different kinds of oxide supported Rh catalysts and carried out catalytic activity tests of propane steam reforming. We have found that Ce_0.25Zr_0.75O₂ supported Rh catalysts exhibit high activity at low temperature compared with conventional Rh/γ-Al₂O₃. Furthermore we carried out several kinds of characterizations to reveal the role of the supports and concluded that redox ability of Ce_0.25Zr_0.75O₂ contributes to activation of steam and thus enhances catalytic activity.