Effect of Operating Conditions on Dimethyl Ether Steam Reforming in a Fluidized Bed Reactor with a CuO–ZnO–Al2O3 and Desilicated ZSM-5 Zeolite Bifunctional Catalyst

This paper studies the effect of operating conditions in dimethyl ether (DME) steam reforming on a bifunctional catalyst synthesized with CuO–ZnO–Al 2 O 3 metallic function and a HZSM-5 zeolite treated with NaOH to moderate acidity. The experimentation has been carried out in a fluidized bed reactor in the 225–325 °C range, with space time between 0.1 and 2.2 g catalyst h/g DME, steam/DME molar ratio between 3 and 6, and DME partial pressure between 0.08 and 0.25 bar. The 275–300 °C range is suitable for obtaining high values of DME conversion and H 2 yield with minimum CO formation and deactivation by coke and avoiding hydrocarbon formation. Stable values of DME conversion (0.85), H 2 yield (0.81), and H 2 production rate (180 mmol H 2 /(g catalyst h)) are obtained during 48 h at 300 °C with a steam/DME ratio of 4 and space time of 0.60 g catalyst h/g DME . The main cause of deactivation is coke deposition on the metallic function.