The decomposition and steam reforming of dimethyl ether on supported Mo2C catalysts Original Research Article

Mo2C prepared by the reduction and reaction of MoO3 with carbon Norit catalyzed the decomposition of dimethyl ether at 673–923 K to give H2 (∼43%), CO (∼32%) and CH4 (23–27%) as major products. On 10% Mo2C/Norit complete conversion of dimethyl ether was attained at 873–923 K, which is much higher temperature than determined for the decomposition of methanol on the same catalyst. Adding water to dimethyl ether only slightly improved the production of hydrogen. In the utilization of the high efficiency of the Mo2C/Norit in the methanol decomposition, carbide was combined with various solids effective in the hydrolysis of dimethyl ether into methanol. The best results were obtained, when alumina and Mo2C/Norit was mixed together. The product distribution for the dimethyl ether: water (1:3) reacting mixture at 673 K was the following: H2 (∼67–69%), CO (∼10–12%), CH4 (∼2%) and CO2 (∼13–15%). The conversion of dimethyl ether was 85–90%. The performance of the combined catalyst was not diminished even after 10 h. Adding potassium to Mo2C/Norit further enhanced the production of hydrogen.