Biomass catalytic gasification performance over unsupported Ni‐Ce catalyst for high‐yield hydrogen production

Abstract

AbstractCatalytic gasification of a residual biomass, obtained from yellow horn (YH) (Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge), an energy crop, was conducted to obtain a fuel gas rich in hydrogen. Unsupported nickel‐based catalyst modified with cerium was developed, characterized, and used in the advanced catalytic gasification of this residual biomass, using H2O + CO2 as the gasifying agent. Tests were performed in a thermobalance coupled to a mass spectrometer to identify the different steps involved in the gasification process and to correlate them with the estimated kinetic parameters. The sequential processes identified were: dehydration‐devolatilization, pyrolysis and gasification. The main pyrolysis step presented a calculated activation energy value of 102 kJ mol−1. A positive effect was observed for the catalyst in the syngas obtained. A synergistic effect of CO2 and H2O used as gasifying agents was found in the gas yield. Hydrogen production was promoted by several reforming and cracking reactions, aided by CeO2‐NiO catalyst able to co‐activate H2O + CO2. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd