Hydrogen-rich syngas production via steam reforming of acetic acid as bio-oil model compound: Effect of CaO addition to NiAl2O4 catalyst

Abstract

Bio-oil by-products are inevitable with biomass gasification. It is considered a potential resource for hydrogen production via steam reforming. This study investigated acetic acid as a bio-model compound using a NiAl2O4 catalyst. The effect of reaction conditions on hydrogen-rich production has also been discussed, including reaction time (1 h, 3 h, 5 h and 7 h), steam/carbon ratio (S/C = 1–4) and the blend of NiAl2O4 and CaO (1:0, 3:1, 1:1, 1:3 and 0:1). The fresh and spent samples were characterized by XRD, XPS, SEM, BET, etc. The result showed that the CaO addition has several advantages: 1) it increases hydrogen gas purification; 2) it prevents Ni separation from NiAl2O4; 3) it decreases the sintering of NiAl2O4. However, Ca5Al6O14 formation decreases the activity of hydrogen production. In reaction conditions, steam is an essential factor for hydrogen gas production. The S/C ratio = 3 shows the optimum result for hydrogen gas production. Although the higher S/C ratio = 4 can maintain the adsorption activity of CaO, it causes Ni separation from NiAl2O4. The blend of NiAl2O4 and CaO is another essential factor for hydrogen gas production. Adding CaO has increased hydrogen gas production significantly. However, a little CaO in a blend ratio 3:1 does not maintain the stability of the NiAl2O4 structure. In the end, the optimum conditions are S/C ratio = 3 and blend = 1:1 at 650 °C, which produces hydrogen gas yield (2.1 mol/mol) and H2/CO (5.83).