Effect of the Promoter on the Acidity and Selectivity of Ni-based Zeolite Y Catalysts in Steam Reforming of Propane

Abstract

The effects of type of promoter on the performance of Ni-M/Zeolite Y (M = Mg, Cs, La, Ce) catalysts, respectively, in steam reforming of propane (SRP) were investigated. The catalysts were prepared by impregnation of nitrates of nickel and promoters on the support. Before and after the reaction, the catalysts were characterized by TEM, XRD, XRF, H2-TPR, NH3-TPD, C3H8-TPD, and CO-TPD. The propane steam reforming reaction results indicated that C3H8 conversion, H2 yield, and catalyst stability varied significantly with the type of promoter in the catalyst. The results revealed a strong correlation between the product selectivity and the acidity of the promoted catalysts, suggesting that the promotional effects are a consequence of Lewis acid-base interactions between the reaction intermediates and the promoter metal cations.