Bimetallic Catalysts, Alloy Catalysts, and Bed Reactors for Alcohols and Bio-alcohols Reforming

This chapter provides a brief introduction to the state of art in the use of bimetallic and alloy catalysts as well as bed reactors in alcohol and bio-alcohol reforming. Among hydrogen production systems, alcohol and bio-alcohol reforming is considered one of the most suitable routes, due to the high yields at low temperature, the non-toxic characteristics of the reactant and the renewable sources making the widespread diffusion in energy production processes possible. However, the efficiency of hydrogen production strongly depends on the control of the formation of unwanted by-products, that generally occur at low temperatures. Thus, a great deal of attention has been given over recent years to the preparation and study of properly designed catalysts for low temperature reforming processes. Naturally, the use of bimetallic and alloy catalysts makes it possible to design systems with unique characteristics, which monometallic catalysts cannot provide. Studies on the reforming of various alcohols have been published, with the majority on ethanol steam reforming. We therefore focus on this kind of process. In the second part of the chapter, we provide a brief introduction to the state of art of structured catalysts with particular attention to the structural stability in harsh environments that include vibrations, thermal cycling as well as continuous start up and shut down. The concrete transfer of catalytic knowledge on ethanol reforming from powders to structured catalysts results in a crucial breakthrough towards the industrial diffusion of hydrogen production from bio-alcohols.