Hydrogenation of furfural at the dynamic Cu surface of CuOCeO2/Al2O3 in a vapor phase packed bed reactor

•Furfural is hydrogenated without solvent to furfuryl alcohol at high selectivity over CuO/CeO2 supported on alumina.•Cu migrates to the surface of the mixed oxide as a result of its reduction and this reduction is enhanced by CeO2.•Coke formation is reduced by running the reaction at higher hydrogen pressure or at higher catalyst weight to furfural flow ratios.•Catalytic activity is restored to coked catalyst following combustion of the deposited coke.