Catalyst combination strategy for hydrogen production from methanol partial oxidation

Methanol is a promising feedstock for hydrogen production. This study experimentally investigates hydrogen production from the partial oxidation of methanol (POM) in sprays and dual-catalyst bed. Two different catalysts of h-BN-Pt/Al2O3 and h-BN-Pd/Al2O3 with low Pt and Pd contents (0.2 wt%) are utilized. The effects of preheating temperatures, O2-to-methanol molar (O2/C) ratios, and Pt/Pd ratios on POM are examined. POM can be triggered at room temperature when using the Pt catalyst. In contrast, POM can occur for a preheating temperature no less than 100 °C once the Pd catalyst is used. On account of the cold start of POM by the Pt catalyst, a dual-catalyst bed strategy is proposed where the Pt catalyst serves as the upper layer. In the dual-catalyst bed with the equivalent amounts of the two catalysts, the maximum H2 yield is 1.61 mol (mol methanol)−1 developing at O2/C = 0.6. Reducing the Pt catalyst amount does not obviously affect the POM performance where methanol conversion is close to 100% and the H2 yield is between 1.55 and 1.57 mol (mol methanol)−1. Accordingly, depending on the prices of Pt and Pd costs, economic and flexible operation of POM for hydrogen production can be achieved from the catalyst combination strategy.