H2 production by steam reforming with in situ CO2 capture of biomass-derived bio-oil

Abstract

High-purity H2 was produced by the sorption enhanced steam reforming (SESR) of acetic acid, a model compound of bio-oil obtained from biomass fast pyrolysis. A fixed bed reactor comprising two sections with different temperature was used to favor the reforming reaction in the high-temperature section, and the water gas shift (WGS) and the CO2 capture reactions along the low-temperature segment. A Pd/Ni-Co hydrotalcite-like material (HT) was used as catalyst and a CaO-based material as CO2 sorbent. High H2 yield (84.4%), with H2 purity of 99.8%, was obtained at atmospheric pressure and 600°C in the above section of the bed followed by a bed temperature of 500°C at the bottom part. A null CO concentration was achieved, while the CH4 and CO2 contents showed very low values (0.15% and 0.02%, respectively).