Energies · 2020 · 25 citations · 38 references
Natural SciencesChemical EngineeringChemistryCatalysisReaction EngineeringThermodynamicsCatalyst DesignCatalytic MaterialsCatalytic Reaction EngineeringCatalytic Reaction KineticsCatalytic Reactor DesignChemical ThermodynamicsCatalyst Performance EvaluationCatalytic ActivityCatalytic Process DesignEquilibrium CalculationsGasificationOptimization Of Operating ConditionsSteam ReformingThermodynamic Equilibrium
Identifying the suitable reaction conditions is key to achieve high performance and economic efficiency in any catalytic process. In this study, the catalytic performance of a Ni/Al2O3 catalyst, a benchmark system—was investigated in steam reforming of toluene as a biomass gasification tar model compound to explore the effect of reforming temperature, steam to carbon (S/C) ratio and residence time on toluene conversion and gas products. An S/C molar ratio range from one to three and temperature range from 700 to 900 °C was selected according to thermodynamic equilibrium calculations, and gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) was varied from 30,600 to 122,400 h−1 based on previous work. The results suggest that 800 °C, GHSV 61,200 h−1 and S/C ratio 3 provide favourable operating conditions for steam reforming of toluene in order to get high toluene conversion and hydrogen productivity, achieving a toluene to gas conversion of 94% and H2 production of 13 mol/mol toluene.
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