Plate-type anodic alumina supported ruthenium catalysts for steam reforming of kerosene: Influence of calcination on catalysts reactivity

Metal monolithic anodic alumina supported Ru catalysts prepared by impregnation method are employed to the steam reforming of kerosene. The characteristics of the resulting catalysts are analyzed by using ICP, BET, CO-Pulse and temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) measurements. The calcination on the catalyst reactivity is investigated. We found that calcination operation during the catalyst preparation is not an essential procedure; on the contrary, it decreases the catalyst dispersion, further resulting in poor activity. Furthermore, the anodic alumina supported Ru catalyst prepared without calcination at 500°C, provided better activity and stability than a commercial catalyst (S/C = 3.0, F/W = 80,000 mL/(h·g), 450-750°C). In particular, pre-reduction with hydrogen over catalyst is considered to not be an essential operation due to the excellent activity and stability in the reforming reaction.