Generation of hydrogen gas by reforming biomass with superheated steam

Various kinds of new porous materials, such as non-oxide ceramics and intermetallic compounds, can be rapidly manufactured by combustion synthesis methods. Since combustion-synthesized materials have good electroconductivity, porosity with three-dimensional network skeletal structure, and heat and corrosion resistance, they are suitable for use in heating elements, filters, catalysts, sensors, biomaterials, heat exchangers, and electrode materials for fuel cells and electrolysis of water. By using combustion-synthesized materials of NiAl intermetallic compounds for a heater, it is possible to generate high temperature superheated steam. We have been able to generate superheated steam at 1000 °C by sending low temperature saturated steam at 100 °C from the bottom of a quartz tube filled with porous NiAl pellets that are heated by an electromagnetic induction coil wound outside the tube. It was confirmed that substantial amounts of hydrogen gas can be generated by reforming grass biomass with high temperature superheated steam at 900 °C. This method would also be effective for decomposition of toxic organic substances such as dioxin.