Characterization and activity of perovskite catalysts for autothermal reforming of dodecane Original Research Article

In this study, LaFeO3-based perovskites prepared by the glycine-nitrate process (GNP) were investigated as potential candidates for diesel surrogate, dodecane, reforming to generate hydrogen-rich reformate. The perovskites were characterized by various techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) and Mossbauer spectroscopy. The catalytic experiments were conducted over a range of operating conditions by varying space velocity, steam-to-carbon ratios, oxygen-to-carbon ratios and temperatures. LaFeO3 perovskite modified at the B-site with Co exhibited improved performance in terms of higher conversion and H2 yield compared to LaFeO3 catalyst. Further modification of the LaFeO3 perovskite with Pd at the B-site showed improved performance to that of Co-doped LaFeO3. Among all modifications of LaFeO3 catalysts investigated, the effect of substituting Ce for La at the A-site and Co/Pd at the B-site yielded the best performance in terms of conversion at lower operating temperature, higher yield of hydrogen and lower amounts of other products (CH4 and ethylene).