Optimal conditions for partial oxidation of propane over ceria-promoted nickel/calcium hydroxyapatite

Abstract

In order to produce hydrogen for application to fuel cells, the optimal conditions for partial oxidation of propane were studied in this research. Ceria-promoted nickel-calcium hydroxyapatite catalysts (CexNi2.5Ca10(OH)(2)(PO4)(6); x=0.1-0.3) were investigated for determination of the optimal content of ceria and ratio of O-2/C3H8. With O-2/C3H8=1.5 (ideal reaction), ceria-promoted catalysts did not exhibit higher hydrogen yield than the unpromoted catalyst. However, as the O-2/C3H8 ratio was increased to 2.0 and higher, ceria-promoted catalysts exhibited higher hydrogen yield and lower hydrocarbon by-product selectivities. The optimal conditions were determined to be content of ceria (x) of 0.1 and O-2/C3H8 ratio of 2.0.