Direct steam reforming of diesel and diesel-biodiesel blends for distributed hydrogen generation

In the present study, direct steam reforming of diesel and diesel blends (7 vol.% biodiesel) is investigated at various operating conditions using a proprietary precious metal catalyst. The experimental results show a detrimental effect of low catalyst inlet temperatures and high feed mass flow rates on catalyst activity. Moreover, tests with a desulfurized diesel-biodiesel blend indicate improved long-term performance of the precious metal catalyst. By using deeply desulfurized diesel (1.6 ppmw sulfur), applying a high catalyst inlet temperature (>800 °C), a high steam-to-carbon ratio (S/C = 5) and a low feed mass flow per open area of catalyst (11 g/h cm2), a stable product gas composition close to chemical equilibrium was achieved over 100 h on stream. Catalyst deactivation was not observed.