Syngas production by partial oxidation of ethanol on PtNi/SiO2–CeO2 catalysts

Abstract

Syngas production from the partial oxidation of (bio)ethanol (POE) was demonstrated. For this purpose, Pt or Ni with different metal loading supported on CeSiO_x were used as catalysts. The catalytic performance was studied in the 600–800 °C temperature range and with oxygen-to-ethanol molar ratios of 0.5 and 0.75. The highest ethanol conversion and H₂ and CO selectivities were achieved at 800 °C. As byproducts, small amounts of CH₄, C₂H₄O, and C₂H₄ were found, and their selectivity decreased with increasing the reaction temperature. Carbon formation during POE at 800 °C on these catalysts followed the order: 1Pt/CeSiO_x < 5Ni/CeSiO_x < 1Pt5Ni/CeSiO_x < 10Ni/CeSiO_x < 1Pt10Ni/CeSiO_x. Therefore, 1Pt5Ni/CeSiO_x presented the best performance for the POE reaction at 800 °C, with low byproduct formation and carbon deposition, thus evidencing the cooperative effect of the support and the synergic effect between the Pt and Ni particles.