Catalytic reforming of toluene using a nickel ion-exchanged coal catalyst. (21st September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kim, Soohyun; Chun, Donghyuk; Rhim, Youngjoon; Lim, Jeonghwan; Kim, Sangdo; Choi, Hokyung; Lee, Sihyun; Yoo, Jiho
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 40:Number 35(2015)
• Page Start: 11855
• Page End: 11862
• Publication Date: 2015-09-21
• Subjects: Steam reforming -- Toluene -- Low rank coal -- Ion exchange -- Nickel -- Catalyst; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2015.06.103
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: Coal is able to form metal complexes via ion-exchange associated with the carboxyl functional groups. In the work, this ion exchange behavior is utilized to disperse catalytically active metals across a coal support. Coal is composed of mostly aromatic rings that exhibit attractive interaction with toluene, and which can enhance the chance of catalytic contact, combined with metal carboxylates. Nickel ions are exchanged on several coals of different ranks, where only low rank coals (LRCs) achieve the fine metallic dispersion. ICP analysis and TEM pictures confirm that 5–18 wt% of nano-scale nickel metals are all around the LRC matrix as a result of forming metal carboxylates. The nickel catalyst supported on an LRC (Ni/LRC) is applied to the steam reforming of toluene at various conditions (temperature, space velocity, and S/C ratio). It shows relatively high and consistent activity even at 400 °C during 10 h continuous operation, indicating that carbon deposition is expected to be less severe probably because of the metal-coal support interaction that avoids the formation of free NiO. Highlights: Dispersion of Ni particles on lignite was done via ion exchange successfully. Coal-supported Ni catalyst improved the kinetics of toluene reforming at 400 °C. The pre-reduction step could be skipped for Ni/coal. Reduced coking was expected from Ni/coal.