Conversion of Toluene (Model Tar) Using Selected Steam Reforming Catalysts

Abstract

Thermochemical conversion of biomass results in producer gas as a raw material for the production of power, many fuels, and chemicals. It is important to clean producer gas of its tars before its intended use. Three different commercial catalysts, one platinum based (cerium zirconium platinum) and two nickel based (Hifuel R110 and Reformax 250), were investigated for their ability to convert toluene (model tar). Studies were carried out in a fixed bed reactor using a gas mixture comparable to the producer gas composition produced from switchgrass gasification. The operating parameters tested were space time (6.86 10-4 to 1.262 10-3 kg h m-3) corresponding to different catalyst loadings and catalyst particle sizes (pellets and powder). Decreasing the particle size resulted in better toluene conversion for all three catalysts. Additionally, an increase in space time resulted in an increase in toluene conversion. Furthermore, an overall increase in H2 and CO2 concentrations and an overall decrease in CH4 and CO concentrations were observed during toluene conversion. Rate constants were calculated for all three catalysts.