Influence of the acid-base properties over NiSn/MgO-Al2O3 catalysts in the hydrogen production from glycerol steam reforming

In this work we have investigated the hydrogen production from glycerol steam reforming. The effect of the acid-base properties was evaluated using four catalysts based in an alloy Ni-Sn as active phase supported over γ-Al2O3 with different content in MgO, varying between 0 and 30 wt.% The incorporation of MgO results in the formation of MgAl2O4 spinel, which modifies the acid-base properties of the catalyst. Addition of MgO favored the glycerol conversion into gas, and the catalyst loaded with 10 wt.% MgO exhibited better catalytic performance and higher stability. A blank test with quartz was performed indicating that pyrolysis of glycerol takes place in the quartz.