Steam Reforming of Isobutanol on Biochar-Supported Ni–Co Catalysts

Abstract

The equilibrium parameters of steam isobutanol reforming were calculated. These include the H2 yield, selectivity with respect to carbon-containing gases, and feed conversion. The calculated data, on the whole, agree with the published data and experimental values of the isobutanol conversion and yield of isobutyraldehyde and higher alkanes on Ni–Co catalysts supported on biochars prepared by hydrothermal carbonization of cellulose. On the other hand, the calculated yields of H2, СО, and СН4 disagree with the experimental data, which suggests that the equilibrium in the experiments on the steam isobutanol reforming on this catalyst is not attained. Feeding a homogeneous mixture of water, isobutanol, and ethanol into the reactor at 700°С allows the Н2 yield to be increased from 58 to 66% and the water conversion, from 58 to 76% compared to the steam reforming of isobutanol without ethanol. The addition of ethanol allows the coking to be significantly reduced and the H2 and СО yield higher than 90% at 900°С to be reached.