Biogas steam reformer for hydrogen production: Evaluation of the reformer prototype and catalysts

This work aims to investigate a biogas steam reforming prototype performance for hydrogen production by mass spectrometry and gas chromatography analyses of catalysts and products of the reform. It was found that 7.4% Ni/NiAl2O4/γ-Al2O3 with aluminate layer and 3.1% Ru/γ-Al2O3 were effective as catalysts, given that they showed high CH4 conversion, CO and H2 selectivity, resistance to carbon deposition, and low activity loss. The effect of CH4:CO2 ratio revealed that both catalysts have the same behavior. An increase in CO2 concentration resulted in a decrease in H2/CO ratio from 2.9 to 2.4 for the Ni catalyst at 850 °C, and from 3 to 2.4 for the Ru catalyst at 700 °C. In conclusion, optimal performance has been achieved in a CH4:CO2 ratio of 1.5:1. H2 yield was 60% for both catalysts at their respective operating temperature. Prototype dimensions and catalysts preparation and characterization are also presented.