Catalytic steam reforming of aqueous products derived from hydrothermal conversion of biomass for hydrogen production

Abstract

The catalytic steam reforming (SR) of biomass-derived organic compounds could be considered as a promising route to generate H₂ fuel. This work aimed to achieve efficient H₂ production by the SR of aqueous products obtained from the hydrothermal conversion process of lignocellulosic biomass. The catalytic SR was studied over 15Ni/NiAl₂O₄ for model compound mixtures composed of furfural, levulinic acid, and formic acid. At a reaction temperature of 800 °C, the high H₂ yield of 93.8 % was achieved. Bimetallic Ni–Cu and Ni–Co catalysts supported by NiAl₂O₄ were synthesized to optimize the SR performance in the presence of H₂SO₄ as impurity. The Ni–Co and Cu–Ni alloys formed on the bimetallic catalysts during calcination and reduction were verified. The results revealed that the alloys formation improved the resistance of catalysts to oxidation and H₂SO₄, thus weakening the catalyst deactivation during the SR process. Importantly, the catalytic SR was successfully applied to convert aqueous products from the hydrothermal conversion of pine sawdust. This study provides an encouraging route for upgrading biomass into high-value fuels.