High temperature water gas shift catalysts (WGS) were synthesized by co-precipitation with typical industrial formulations containing iron oxides, chromia, and copper, but augmented by small additions (1 to 20 wt%) of rare earth oxides, such as ceria or lanthana, at the expense of the active iron phase.  The catalysts were characterized by standard techniques and kinetically evaluated under WGS conditions.  Despite containing less of the active iron phase relative to the base catalyst, the rare earth oxide modified catalysts produced higher WGS rates, even when adjusted for surface area improvements caused by the addition of the rare earth oxide.  The catalysts were evaluated using operando UV-visible spectroscopy to correlate reaction rate with absorption response and calibrated extent of reduction measurements.  Although these catalysts look black, the absorption spectra respond sensitively to the reaction conditions and appear to provide useful information on the extent of catalyst reduction.

Enhanced high temperature water gas shift catalysts:  UV-visible studies

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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