Partial oxidation of dimethyl ether using the structured catalyst Rh/Al ₂O ₃/Al prepared through the anodic oxidation of aluminum

The partial oxidation of dimethyl ether (DME) was investigated using the structured catalyst Rh/Al ₂O ₃/Al. The porous Al ₂O ₃ layer was synthesized oe n n the aluminum plate through anodic oxidation in an oxalic-acid solution. It was observed that about 20 nm nanopores were well developed in the Al ₂O ₃ layer. The thickness of Al ₂O ₃ layer can be adjusted by controlling the anodizing time and current density. After pore-widening and hot-water treatment, the Al ₂O ₃/Al plate was calcined at 500 °C for 3 h. The obtained γ-Al ₂ 10 ₃ had a specific surface area of 160 m ²/g, making it fit to be used as a catalyst support. A microchannel reactor was designed and fabricated to evaluate the catalytic activity of Rh/Al ₂O ₃/Al in the partial oxidation of DME. The structured catalyst showed an 86% maximum hydrogen yield at 450 °C. On the other hand, the maximum syngas yield by a pack-bed-type catalyst could be attained by using a more than fivefold Rh amount compared to that used in the structured Rh/Al ₂O ₃/Al catalyst.