Production of Hydrogen-Rich Gas by Formic Acid Decomposition over CuO-CeO₂/γ-Al₂O₃ Catalyst

Abstract

Formic acid decomposition to H2-rich gas was investigated over a CuO-CeO2/γ-Al2O3 catalyst. The catalyst was characterized by XRD, HR TEM and EDX methods. A 100% conversion of formic acid was observed over the copper-ceria catalyst under ambient pressure, at 200–300 °C, N2:HCOOH = 75:25 vol.% and flow rate 3500–35,000 h−1 with H2 yield of 98%, wherein outlet CO concentration is below the equilibrium data (<0.5 vol.%). The copper-ceria catalyst proved to be promising for multifuel processor application, and the H2 generation from dimethoxymethane, methanol, dimethyl ether and formic acid on the same catalyst for fuel cell supply.

Keywords

• formic acid decomposition
• hydrogen production
• CuO-CeO₂/γ-Al₂O₃
• multifuel processor
• copper catalyst
• oxygenates
• fuel cell