H2-rich synthesis gas production over Co/Al2O3 catalyst via glycerol steam reforming

Abstract

Alumina-supported cobalt catalyst has been employed in a fixed bed reactor for the direct production of synthesis gas from glycerol steam reforming. Physicochemical properties of the Co/Al2O3 catalyst were determined from N2 physisorption, H2 chemisorption, CO2 and NH3-temperature-programmed desorption measurements as well as X-ray diffraction analysis. Both weak and strong acid sites are present on the catalyst surface. The acidic:basic site ratio is about 6. Glycerol steam reforming gave relatively large H2:CO ratio (6 to 12) and near-stoichiometric values of H2:CO2 ratio (2 to 2.30) were obtained depending on feed composition (30 to 60 wt.% glycerol mixture). The glycerol consumption rate appeared to be a weak function of glycerol (0.1) and has 0.4 order with respect to the steam partial pressure. Increased glycerol partial pressure led to high carbon deposition (total organic carbon values of 20 to 24%). However, removal of the deposited carbon was essentially complete following a temperature-programmed oxidation (air)–temperature-programmed reduction (H2) scheme.