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This study provides a kinetic examination of methanol steam reforming (MSR) over a Cu-based commercial catalyst (CuO/ZnO/Al 2 O 3 , Alfa Aesar) as a function of CH 3 OH and H 2 O partial pressures at 246 °C and 1 atm in a once-through flow reactor. A power rate law was used to best describe the experimental rate data by linear and non-linear regressions at the operating conditions where transport bottlenecks were eliminated. Comparison of the rate parameters indicated that a strong correlation was suggested by non-linear regression giving reaction orders of 0.29 for methanol and 0.09 for water along with a frequency factor of 53.48 (mol CH3OH s−1 g catalyst −1 kPa−0.38) and an activation energy of 65.59 kJ mol−1. A simulation study of the rate equation to analyze an integrated system of a reformer and an HT-PEMFC was also conducted. The results demonstrate that the system has the potential to produce 15 W power output. • Kinetic analysis of methanol steam reforming on a commercial CuO/ZnO/Al 2 O 3 catalyst (HiFUEL®W220, Alfa Aesar) is reported. • A power rate law is used to best describe the experimental rate data by non-linear regression. • Aspen Plus is used to simulate the integrated system of a reformer and a HT-PEMFC to produce 15 W power output. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, a performance analysis of La-doped copper-based catalysts (CuO/ZrO2/La-Al2O3) in methanol steam reforming (MSR) was conducted and compared with a commercial low temperature water-gas shift catalyst (HiFUEL W220) to produce H2 with low CO selectivity. The physicochemical properties of as-obtained catalysts were characterized by N2 adsorption, XRD, and ICP-OES. Effect of calcination temperature (750 and 1000) on the properties of mixed oxide support (La-Al2O3) were discussed based on catalytic activity. The optimum conditions of H2O/CH3OH ratio (1.0-3.0), space-time ratio (WFA0) (40-120 kg s mol-1), and reaction temperature (180-310) were evaluated by a parametric study using the commercial catalyst (HF220). Additionally, thermodynamic equilibrium calculations of experimentally identified components by using Aspen HYSYS process simulation software were also performed to analyze MSR process. The results were indicated that the calcination temperature significantly affected the structural properties and the activity with respect to CO selectivity. An increasing trend in CO selectivity for catalysts with supports calcined at 750 and a decreasing trend for catalysts with supports calcined at 1000 were observed. Hence, CZ30LA750 and CZ30LA1000 catalysts were selected to attain low CO selectivity and comparable activity when compared to other catalysts and the simulated thermodynamic calculation results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A statistical modeling and optimization study on the thermodynamic equilibrium of methanol steam reforming (MSR) process was performed by using Aspen Plus and the response surface methodology (RSM). The impacts of operation parameters; temperature, pressure and steam-to-methanol ratio (H 2 O/MeOH) on the product distribution were investigated. Equilibrium compositions of the H 2 -rich stream and the favorable conditions within the operating range of interest (temperature: 25–600 °C, pressure: 1–3.0 atm, H 2 O/MeOH: 0–7.0) were analyzed. Furthermore, ideal conditions were determined to maximize the methanol conversion, hydrogen production with high yield and to minimize the undesirable products such as CO, methane, and carbon. The optimum corresponding MSR thermodynamic process parameters which are temperature, pressure and H 2 O/MeOH ratio for the production of HT-PEMFC grade hydrogen were identified to be 246 °C, 1 atm and 5.6, respectively. • Influence of steam-to-methanol ratio, temperature, and pressure on equilibrium conditions was investigated. • Optimization of process parameters was performed by response surface methodology (RSM). • Optimum temperature, pressure and H 2 O/MeOH ratio for Case-1 were identified to be 246 °C, 1 atm and 5.6 respectively. • CO production was reached to very low values of 30–1700 ppm (mole) (dry basis) which can be tolerated by HT-PEMFC systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]