Hydrogen production from n-butanol over alumina and modified alumina nickel catalysts

In this study, the steam reforming (SR) of a bio-oil model compound like -n-butanol- was selected for hydrogen production. Modified supports and catalysts were prepared by wet impregnation method, and tested and compared with a commercial one, in the n-butanol SR process at steam to carbon (S/C) ratio of 5.0 in a fixed bed reactor. Tests were carried out at different temperatures and atmospheric pressure. Afterwards, the modified support of the most active catalyst and bare alumina support were tested at the two higher temperatures in order to study the effect of the active metal and modifier. Fresh and used catalysts were characterized and correlated with the obtained activity results. Between all tested catalysts the Ni/CeO2-Al2O3 provided the highest hydrogen yield, but it also showed deactivation signs.