Reactions over Cu/Nb2O5 catalysts promoted with Pd and Ru during hydrogen production from ethanol

Hydrogen production from reactions between ethanol and steam at 300 °C was evaluated under low conversion conditions for the Cu/Nb2O5 system promoted with Pd and Ru. Parallel reactions occurred on the surface of all samples as it was verified from the production of H2, CO2, CH4, CO, C2H4, C2H6, C2H4O and (C2H5)2O. Hydrogen production occurs mainly from ethanol dehydrogenation and secondly, from steam reforming and ethanol decomposition. Dehydration reactions were also identified and analyzed among others. Addition of Pd and Ru to the catalyst improves product selectivity and it was verified that Pd-Ru-Cu/Nb2O5 tri-metallic catalyst is the most promising for H2 production due to its selectivity and lower deactivation, among all samples tested.