Effect of coal ash on the steam reforming of simulated bio-oil for hydrogen production over Ni/γ-Al2O3

Abstract

An improved system for hydrogen production by the steam reforming of simulated bio-oil was developed. The coal ash was packed in front of nickel-based catalysts, acting as a guard catalyst. The model compounds passed through coal ash and were preliminarily reformed to smaller molecular intermediates containing more CO and CH4, which were then further reformed over the following nickel-reforming catalyst. The improved reaction system succeeded in effectively converting the complex simulated bio-oil into hydrogen and exhibited high activity. For 15 wt.% Ni/γ-Al2O3 catalyst with coal ash packing, the catalyst lifetime was extended to 8 h, with simulated bio-oil almost completely converted into hydrogen. In addition, coke deposition was suppressed.