Hydrogen production from woody biomass over supported metal catalysts in supercritical water

Hydrogen was produced from woody biomass, lignin, in supercritical water over supported metal catalysts using a batch reactor. The order of metal species for the lignin gasification was following: ruthenium > rhodium > platinum > palladium > nickel. The order of hydrogen production was following: palladium > ruthenium > platinum > rhodium > nickel. Titania and activated carbon were stable supports of noble metal catalysts for lignin gasification in supercritical water. Hydrogen percentage of gaseous products from lignin increased with shorter reaction time and higher reaction temperature.