Cu and Ni Catalysts Supported on γ-Al₂O₃ and SiO₂ Assessed in Glycerol Steam Reforming Reaction

Cu and Ni catalysts supported on commercial γ-Al₂O₃ and SiO₂ were tested in the glycerol steam reforming. The catalysts were prepared by the impregnation method and characterized by inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry, nitrogen physisorption, temperature programmed reduction with H₂ and X-ray diffraction. The characterization indicated several catalytic species in the samples interacting differently with the supports: NiO, CuO and NiAl₂O₄. The catalytic tests were performed at 600 °C, and the best catalyst was also tested at 500 °C and 700 °C. The results showed that the presence of NiAl₂O₄ did not favor the deposition of carbon during the reaction, probably due to the greater dispersion of Ni on the catalyst surface. It was also observed that, although NiSi was the most active catalyst for H₂ production, it also showed the highest carbon deposit during the reaction.

nickel; copper; catalysts; glycerol steam reforming