Biochar supported nickel (Ni/BC) catalysts were prepared as low-cost alternatives for the steam reforming of toluene as a biomass-derived tar model compound. Nickel nano-particles (Ni0NPs) were generated within the carbon matrix of Ni/BC during the carbothermal reduction process. The influence of nickel loading amount and the preparation pyrolysis temperature on catalyst activity and stability were examined, as these preparation parameters determine the nickel particle sizes. The results show that the Ni/BC catalysts exhibited significant higher activity than the BC itself. Pyrolysis at 600°C with a Ni loading of 5% Ni/BC catalyst, was found to display the highest activity (turnover frequency) under the conditions of 600°C, W/F of 0.5h-1 and S/C of 3. Furthermore, Toluene conversion decreased with the increase of nickel loading amount and pyrolysis temperature mostly due to the deposition of carbon and agglomeration of nickel nanoparticles size. Over a 100h longevity testing period, the Ni/BC catalyst showed a gradually decreasing trend in toluene conversion, but always higher than the control ones on Ni/ZrO2 and Ni/γAl2O3 catalysts. Consequently, this study sheds light on Ni/BC is a potential catalyst to be used for the reforming of tar in biomass gasification.

Ni/biochar catalysts for steam reforming of toluene as the biomass tar model compound

255th National Meeting (2018)

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