Catalytic steam reforming of bio-oil aqueous fraction for hydrogen production over Ni–Mo supported on modified sepiolite catalysts

Hydrogen will be an important energy carrier in the future and hydrogen production has drawn a great deal of attention to its advantages in efficiency and environmental benefit. Catalytic steam reforming in this study was carried out in a fixed bed tubular reactor with sepiolite catalysts. Sepiolite catalysts modified with nickel (Ni) and molybdenum (Mo) were prepared using the precipitation method. Influential parameters such as temperature, catalyst, steam to carbon ratio (S/C), the feeding space velocity (WHSV), reforming length, and activity of catalyst were investigated and the yields of H2, CO, CH4, and CO2 were obtained. The result of this experiment shows that the acidified sepiolite catalyst with addition of the Ni and Mo greatly improves the activities of catalyst and effectively increases the yield of hydrogen. The favorable reaction condition is as follows: reaction temperature is 700–800 °C; S/C is 16–18; the feeding space velocity is 1.5–2.2 h−1, respectively.

► Sepiolite catalysts modified with nickel (Ni) and molybdenum (Mo) were prepared.
► Steam reforming was carried out in a tubular reactor over sepiolite catalysts.
► The favorable reaction condition of catalytic steam reforming is investigated.
► The carbon deposition behaviors are evaluated.