Preparation of CuZnZrAl catalysts by coprecipitation-ammonia method for methanol steam reforming and the effect of promoters Y and Ce

CuZnZrAl catalysts were synthesized by the co-precipitation and coprecipitation-ammonia methods and modified with Y and Ce promoters for the methanol steam reforming hydrogen production process. The physicochemical properties of the catalysts were analyzed by XRD, BET, H2-TPR, and XPS methods. The methanol conversion, as well as CO selectivity of MSR at different temperatures, were investigated, and its stability was probed using repeated start and stop test to simulate the onboard hydrogen production process. The results showed that the methanol conversion of CuZnZrAl catalyst prepared by coprecipitation-ammonia method was 96.9% at a temperature of 270°C, S/C molar ratio of 1.2, and WHSV of 2.6 h−1, which was higher than that of 94.6% by the co-precipitation method. In addition, the best catalytic performance was obtained for the catalyst with Ce promoter addition using coprecipitation-ammonia method. The conversion was 100% at 270°C with a CO selectivity of only 0.31%, and the conversion remained 98.7% after 20 reactions were repeated.