Ni-Infiltrated Spherical Porcelain Support as Potential Steam Reforming Microchannel Reactor

This paper describes the fabrication of kaolinite (Al₂O₃-2SiO₂-2H₂O) spherical bulbs by slip casting. The bisque-fired parts present a porosity of about 30% with submicron porosity confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. In addition, plate-like grains with channels were observed. After nickel infiltration of the specimens, nanosized Ni particles covered the surfaces of the channels of these grains. Permeation tests in 5% H₂ at 400 and 600 °C resulted in fluxes between 0.05 and 0.06 mol·m^-2·s^-1 at a pressure gradient of 200 MPa·m^-1. Potential applications of these specimens include supports for hydrocarbon (namely ethanol) steam reforming.