Patent ID: 8080224
Filing Date: 2011-12-20
Classification: C10K

Abstract:
1. A process for the selective hydrogenation of carbon monoxide so as to reduce the concentration of carbon monoxide in a reformate feed stream containing a mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and water, thereby forming a hydrogen-rich gas suitable for use as fuel for a fuel cell, the process comprising: a) providing a selective CO hydrogenation catalyst in a reactor wherein the catalyst consists essentially of a metal selected from the group consisting of ruthenium, rhodium, nickel and combinations thereof, on a support selected from the group consisting of beta-zeolite, mordenite, and faujasite, wherein the support has a pore diameter greater than about 6.3 Å, the diameter further having an upper limit that is defined by the structure of the beta-zeolite, mordenite or faujasite used as the support; b) passing a reformate feed stream containing gases of hydrogen, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, water and combinations thereof over the catalyst at a temperature at which selective methanation occurs up to about 300° C. and at about 2,000 vol/vol/hr to about 40,000 vol/vol/hr; and c) producing a hydrogen-rich exit stream suitable for use as fuel for a fuel cell in which the carbon monoxide concentration is equal to or less than about 100 ppm.