Hydrogen Production by Catalytic Steam Reforming of Acetol, a Model Compound of Bio-Oil

Abstract

Hydrogen can be produced by catalytic steam reforming of bio-oil or its fractions. Bio-oil is a complex mixture of a large number of compounds derived from fast pyrolysis of biomass. Acetol has been selected as a model compound. Steam reforming of acetol has been studied in a fluidized bed reactor using coprecipitated Ni−Al catalysts, some promoted with lanthanum and cobalt. Noncatalytic experiments have been performed from 450 to 650 °C. Catalytic experiments have been carried out at 600 and 650 °C in order to analyze the influence of the catalyst weight/acetol flow rate ( W / m Ac ) ratio on gas yields. The influence of the steam to carbon molar (S/C) ratio and the catalyst composition on gas yields has also been studied. The presence of the catalyst increases H 2, CO 2, and total gas yields while CH 4, CO, and C 2 yields decrease. An increase in the S/C ratio at 650 °C increases H 2, CO 2, and total gas yields and carbon conversion to gas. The presence of lanthanum in Ni−Al coprecipitated catalysts increases CH 4, CO 2, C 2, and total gas yields as well as carbon conversion to gas. Ni−Co−Al catalysts present the lowest values of carbon conversion to gas. Hydrogen yields obtained with the catalysts tested follow this sequence: Ni−Al = Ni−Co−Al (Co/Ni = 0.25) > Ni−Co−Al (Co/Ni = 0.025) > Ni−Al−La (4 wt % La 2 O 3 ) > Ni−Al−La (8 wt % La 2 O 3 ) > Ni−Al−La (12 wt % La 2 O 3 ).