Investigation of Ni–Fe–Cu-Layered Double Hydroxide Catalysts in Steam Reforming of Toluene as a Model Compound of Biomass Tar

David Díez,Gregorio Antolín,Ana Urueña

doi:10.3390/pr9010076

Abstract

This work focused on the synthesis of a catalyst based on layered double hydroxides with a molar cation concentration Ni/Cu/Fe/Mg/Al of 30/5/5/40/20 and its performance in the steam reforming of toluene as a model compound of biomass tar. Its performance at different temperatures (500, 600, 700, 800, and 900 °C) and steam/carbon molar ratios (S/C ratios) (1, 2, 4, 6, 8) was studied. The contact time used was 0.32 g h mol−1. The catalyst obtained allowed us to reach 98–99.87% gas conversion of toluene with a low carbon deposition on catalyst surface (1.4 wt %) at 800 °C and S/C = 4. In addition, conversions in the range of 600–700 °C were higher than 80% and 90%, respectively, and the type of carbon deposited on the catalyst was found to be filamentous, which did not significantly reduce the performance of the catalyst.

Highlights

Hydroxide Catalysts in SteamThe increase in demand for energy from fossil fuels that has taken place in recent decades is mainly due to the increase in population and living standards
The Temperature-Programmed Reduction (TPR) analysis of the different layered double hydroxides (LDHs) showed the presence of two peaks depending on whether the sample contained Cu in its composition or not
The synthesized LDH showed a homogeneous structure formed by small spheres of about 680 nm in diameter

Summary

Introduction

Hydroxide Catalysts in SteamThe increase in demand for energy from fossil fuels that has taken place in recent decades is mainly due to the increase in population and living standards. In order to mitigate this situation, efforts are being made to encourage the substitution of fossil fuels by other renewable energy sources. Among these alternatives, gasification is presented as a promising technology, in which syngas can be obtained from biomass as a renewable energy source. Gasification of biomass into syngas is expected to be used in various fields such as power generation and the production of hydrogen and liquid fuels (e.g., methanol and Fischer–Tropsch fuel) [1]. This syngas contains some impurities, such as organic tars, which need to be removed before its application. Tars are a complex mixture of aromatic and oxygenated hydrocarbons that may cause several operational problems

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