Oxidative steam reforming of isobutanol over Ni/γ-Al2O3 catalysts: A comparison with thermodynamic equilibrium analysis

• Nickel oxide was present mostly as dispersed NiAl2O4 on γ-Al2O3.
• H2 yield and selectivity to CO and methane were lesser for OSR than SR.
• Experimental data were matched well with equilibrium results.
• H2/CO mole ratio in the range of 8–10 was obtained.
• Diameter of carbon nano-fibres was reduced with increasing OCMR.

Present work provides a systematic investigation of oxidative steam reforming (OSR) and comparisons with steam reforming (SR) of isobutanol over γ-Al2O3 supported nickel catalysts. Catalysts characterization results demonstrated that majority of nickel oxide was present as dispersed NiAl2O4. The hydrogen yield and selectivity to CO and methane were somewhat lesser for OSR compared to SR. The H2/CO mole ratio in the range of 8–10 was observed under the experimental conditions. The experimental results were matched well with equilibrium products compositions. The spent catalysts were further characterized to elucidate chemical and morphological changes of the catalysts during SR and OSR.

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