Catalytic hydrogen generator for use with methanol

Abstract From the Canadian patent

A catalytic hydrogen generator which generates hydrogen by the partial oxidation of methanol by oxygen (usually supplied as air) which comprises a gas permeable catalyst system having an upstream zone filled with a copper catalyst supported on a refractory support (for example silica or silicate granules) and a downstream zone fillet with a mixture of a similar supported copper catalyst and a platinum or palladium catalyst supported on a similar refractory support. A mixture of methanol and oxygen is fed to the upstream zone and initially permeates through to the downstream zone where spontaneous oxidation of the methanol is initiated raising the temperature of the system to a level at …