The effect of addition of Ca, K and Mn over Ni-based catalyst on steam reforming of toluene as model tar compound

•Dolomite is suitable support for toluene steam reforming.•Catalytic activity was enhanced by addition of Mn on Ni/dolomite.•The stable catalytic performance and no carbon deposition of Ni–Mn/dolomite catalyst were observed.

The catalytic activity and carbon deposition for toluene steam reforming were investigated by adding promoters such as K, Ca and Mn on 10 wt% Ni-based catalysts. The toluene steam reforming experiments were carried out at temperature of 800 °C under S/C ratio = 3. Catalyst characteristics were evaluated using XRD, BET, TPR and TGA. Ni/dolomite showed the highest hydrogen production and the toluene conversion efficiency to CO and CO2 among the catalysts. A slight enhancement effect was observed by adding K or Ca. By adding Mn on Ni/dolomite, the better toluene conversion efficiency to CO and CO2 was obtained than K and Ca and maintained constantly because of the resistance of carbon deposition. Conclusively, the addition of Mn on Ni/dolomite could give the stable catalytic activity for toluene steam reforming by suppressing the carbon deposition.

Graphical abstractStability study of Ni–Mn/dolomite catalyst.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (118 K)Download as PowerPoint slide