Effect of the alloy on micro-structured reactors for methanol steam reforming

Micro-monoliths and foams made of aluminium, Fecralloy^® and brass were studied as substrates for structured systems for methanol steam reforming (MSR). All the alloys exhibited very adherent oxide layer produced by pre-treatment to improve the adhesion between substrate and catalyst. 2.5% Pd/ZnO catalyst was prepared and deposited on structured substrates. Both, good catalyst adhesion and stable catalytic performance were achieved in the case of brass micro-monoliths. The Fecralloy^® and aluminium substrates reacted with the catalytic active components resulting in catalyst modification. The aluminium based substrates promoted dimethyl ether (DME) formation. Aluminium foam produced better performance than aluminium micro-monoliths that could be related to improved mass and heat transfer properties in foams.