A CuO-CeO2 mixed-oxide catalyst for CO clean-up by selective oxidation in hydrogen-rich mixtures

摘要: A CuO-CeO2 mixed-oxide catalyst was shown experimentally to be highly active and selective for the oxidation of CO in hydrogen-rich mixtures, an attractive alternative noble metal catalysts presently used clean-up hydrogen mixtures proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). Although presence H2O CO2 feed decreased activity increased reaction temperature considerably achieve a given conversion with reactor, selectivity profile respect remained virtually same. The effect on found increase required energy reduction copper species redox cycles undergone during reaction. showed slow, reversible deactivation, but restored heating at 300 °C, even under inert flow. At space velocities above 42 g h m-3, reduced content less than 10 ppm range 166-176 °C 1% CO, O2, 50% H2, 20% H2O, 13.5% balance He. Hence, this it is feasible clean up single-stage reactor relatively small excess oxygen, which contrast typical multistage systems using catalysts.