The kinetics and reaction mechanism of the reverse water-gas shift reaction (RWGS) over CuO/ZnO/A12O3 catalysts were studied using a differential reactor. The experiments were carried out at 523 K and 2.9-5.1 atm. Effect of reactants composition on th...
The kinetics and reaction mechanism of the reverse water-gas shift reaction (RWGS) over CuO/ZnO/A12O3 catalysts were studied using a differential reactor. The experiments were carried out at 523 K and 2.9-5.1 atm. Effect of reactants composition on the reaction rate was checked by changing P^(0)_(CO₂), and P^(0)_(H2). When the P^(0)_(CO₂) and P^(0)_(H₂) were low, the reaction rate was dependent on partial pressures of both reactants and there was a strong dependency on P^(0)_(H₂). At high P^(0)_(CO₂) and P^(0)_(H₂), reaction order with P^(0)_(H₂) was zero, and order with P^(0)_(CO₂) was 0.23. The data was analysed using rate equations based on power law, Langmuir-Hinshelwood mechanism, and surface redox mechanism in which Cu was considered as an active site. The reaction rate derived from surface redax mechanism matched well with the reactim rate derived from power law, and the calculated ro values, based on surface redox mechanism, was in good agreement with the experimental values. Also, a linear relationship between P^(0)_(CO), and reaction rate indicated that the surface redon mechanism was operative under these conditions. Therefore, it was conclued that the RWGS at 523 K proceeds by surface redox mechanism via oxidation and reduction of the Cu active site.