Formation of hydrogen through the decomposition of kerosene over nickel-based catalysts

The formation of hydrogen, without CO or CO2, through the decomposition of kerosene at 773-873 K was performed. Ni/TiO2 catalyst showed the highest activity and the longest life among all the catalysts tested in the present study for the decomposition of a mixture of tert- butylcyclohexane, n-dodecane, and diethylbenzene (denoted as kerosene). Benzothiophene, as an impurity added in kerosene, did not affect the catalytic performance of Ni/TiO2 significantly for the hydrogen formation through the decomposition of kerosene. Therefore, the production of hydrogen without CO or CO2 from commercially available kerosene, which contains impurity sulfur, could be realized. Supported nickel catalysts were deactivated rapidly during the decomposition of diethylbenzene, whereas hydrogen was formed efficiently through the decom- position of tert-butylcyclohexane and n-dodecane. The catalytic performance of supported nickel catalysts for the decomposition of diethylbenzene was improved by the addition of Zn species. The addition of Zn species decreased the average crystallite size of nickel metal, which improved the catalytic performance for the decomposition of diethylbenzene. © 2004 American Chemical Society.