Method for catalytic conversion of carbon monoxide in a hydrogen-containing gas mixture

Abstract

A method for catalytic conversion of carbon monoxide with water to carbon dioxide and water in a hydrogen-containing gas mixture (carbon monoxide conversion) by passing the gas mixture over a shift catalyst that is at an operating temperature for the carbon monoxide conversion. The method is carried out with a shift catalyst based on noble metals that is applied to an inert support element in the form of a coating.

Description

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND[0001] The present invention relates to a method for catalytic conversion of carbon monoxide with water to carbon dioxide and hydrogen in a gas mixture that contains hydrogen and other oxidizable components.[0002] The conversion of carbon monoxide with water to carbon dioxide and hydrogen in the presence of catalysts is a known method for producing hydrogen-rich gas mixtures, which is based on the following exothermic reaction:CO+H.sub.2OH.sub.2+CO.sub.2 .DELTA.H>0 (1)[0003] Here the following side reactions can occur:1 CO methanation: CO + 3 H.sub.2 CH.sub.4+ H.sub.2O .DELTA.H > 0 (2) and CO.sub.2 methanation: CO.sub.2 + 4 H.sub.2 CH.sub.4 + H.sub.2O .DELTA.H > 0 (3)[0004] The reaction in accordance with reaction equation (1) is called carbon monoxide conversion or CO conversion herein. The term "water gas shift reaction" is commonly used for this in the USA.[0005] The production of hydrogen-rich gas mixtures from hydrocarbons, or alcohols, by st...

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Benefits of technology

[0027] The method of the invention enables a high efficiency, i.e., a high space-time yield through the application of the catalyst in the form of a coating onto an inert carrier. Such a catalyst is also called a coating catalyst herein. The monolithic honeycomb elements of ceramic or metal with cell densities (number of flow channels per area of cross section) of more than 10 cm.sup.-2 that are known from auto exhaust treatment are suitable as carrier. However, metal sheet, heat exchanger plates, open-cell ceramic or metal foam elements and irregularly shaped elements formed in each case according to requirements can also be used as carriers. The thickness of the coating can vary between 10 and 100 .mu.m according to application.

[0033] The use of the shift catalyst based on noble metals for the method also has the advantage that this catalyst does not become deactivated by contact with oxygen. For this reason no costly measures to protect the catalyst from contact with air are necessary in a motor vehicle.

Problems solved by technology

The conventional catalysts for the conversion of carbon monoxide have crucial disadvantages:

While Cu / ZnO-containing catalysts become deactivated above 270.degree. C. because of recrystallization, or sintering, of the copper, the Fe / Cr-containing catalysts that are used in the high temperature range cannot be used at low temperatures because of insufficient activity.

If the indicated temperature range of the high temperature catalysts is exceeded, methanation reactions (reaction equations (2) and (3)) can occur, which reduce the selectivity of the high temperature catalyst and because of this lower the overall efficiency of the hydrogen generation system.

As a rule, they have a very high bulk weight.

These low velocities are not sufficient for use in motor vehicles.

The powdered catalyst systems that have been investigated in the scientific literature are not suitable for industrial use.

Only unsatisfactory space-time yields are obtained with such catalysts.

In addition, the achievable specific conversion rates with these catalysts are low.

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