Evaluation of a micro-channel reactor for steam reforming of ethylene glycol: A comparative study of catalytic activity of Pt or/and Ni supported γ-alumina catalysts

Steam reforming of ethylene glycol (EG) was studied using γ-alumina supported 12%Ni, 3%Pt and 3%Pt12%Ni catalysts, in a micro-channel reactor. The parallel micro-channels were etched on a stainless steel plate using micro-milling technique with high speed CNC machine. The catalysts were prepared by the incipient wetness impregnation method and were characterized by using XRD, BET, FE-SEM, H2-TPR and TGA analyses. The effects of reaction temperature and feed flow rate on the EG conversion, hydrogen yield and selectivities of the gaseous products were investigated. Experimental findings revealed that 3%Pt12%Ni/γ-alumina catalyst can provide the highest EG conversion (96.1%) with 76.6% hydrogen yield and 5.3% CO selectivity at 450 °C temperature and 4 mL h−1 feed flow rate. Furthermore, continuous EG steam reforming identified 3%Pt12%Ni/γ-alumina as the most stable catalyst. This catalyst can remain stable after being on stream for more than 20 h.