Hydrogen production via in-line pyrolysis-reforming of organic solid waste enhanced by steel slags

Abstract

Steel slag derivates prepared from waste steel slag using acid leach method, are employed to promote hydrogen production from organic solid waste by in-line pyrolysis-steam reforming of Chinese medicine residues (CMR). The optimum pyrolysis conditions are determined during the fast pyrolysis experiment of CMR (Tprolysis = 800 °C, FN2 = 200 mLSTP/min). During in-line pyrolysis-reforming of CMR with steel slag derivates, for example CaO(SS)-50 wt%LR compounds, as reforming catalyst, the hydrogen yield is profoundly increased from 7.57 mmol/gCMR (pyrolysis operation) to 11.49 mmol/gCMR, while tar yield has been reduced 30.50%. FeOx in LR remarkably increases lattice oxygen and adsorption oxygen in NCA-LR or NCA-LR-CaO(SS) compounds, so tar and CO conversion are efficiently improved while coke deposition on catalyst surface is significantly reduced. LR is demonstrated to be able to act as or partially alternate nickel-based catalyst during steam reforming of pyrolysis gas, which would greatly reduce the cost of hydrogen production from OSWs.