Syngas production from aqueous phase reforming of glycerol–water mixture for compression ignition engine

Abstract

Syngas produced from glycerol using aqueous phase reforming for nickel-based catalysts with different support materials were tested in a compression ignition (CI) engine. Experiments were conducted using nickel–alumina, nickel–lanthanum (NL), and nickel–ceria catalysts at 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, and 1:4 glycerol–water ratios and temperatures of 240°C, 260°C, and 280°C. The NL catalyst showed the highest syngas and hydrogen yield of 90.58% and 76.42%, respectively, at 1:3 ratio and 260°C. The optimized NL syngas and diesel were tested in a CI engine at 6 to 30 lpm flow rates. At 30 lpm flow, brake thermal efficiency increased by 3.15%, NOx emission was reduced by 21.22%, and smoke lowered significantly compared to diesel. The faster hydrogen combustion in syngas increased the heat release rate and cylinder peak pressure. CO and HC emissions increased at lower loads due to diluted combustion but reduced at higher loads. NL showed the best performance and emissions among the syngases due to higher hydrogen content. In summary, the NL syngas at 30 lpm showed great potential in CI engines by improving combustion and performance and reducing emissions.