Ce–K-promoted Co–Mo/Al2O3 catalysts for the water gas shift reaction

Abstract The effect of doping traditional Co–Mo/Al 2 O 3 catalysts with Ce and K on their catalytic activity for the water gas shift reaction in coke oven gas was investigated. Doped Co–Mo/Al 2 O 3 catalysts were prepared by adding different amounts of Ce and K (CeO 2 , K 2 O, and CeO 2 –K 2 O ∼10 wt%) by a wetness impregnation method and characterized by BET specific surface area measurements and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The characterization results reveal that CeO 2 addition mainly produced an electronic effect and aided to disperse the active ingredient. At the same time, the synergistic effect between Ce and K contributed to the catalytic activity. Activity tests showed that Ce–K-promoted Co–Mo/Al 2 O 3 catalysts exhibited greater activity and selectivity than Co–Mo–Ce/Al 2 O 3 catalysts and Co–Mo–K/Al 2 O 3 catalysts. The maximum promotion of the water gas shift reaction was observed when 3.0 wt% CeO 2 and 6.0 wt% K 2 O were added.