Biogas steam reformer for hydrogen production: Evaluation of the reformer prototype and catalysts

This work aims to investigate a biogas steam reforming prototype performance for hydrogen production by mass spectrometry and gas chromatography analyses of catalysts and products of the reform. It was found that 7.4% Ni/NiAl2O4/gamma-Al2O3 with aluminate layer and 3.1% Ru/gamma-Al2O3 were effective as catalysts, given that they showed high CH4 conversion, CO and H-2 selectivity, resistance to carbon deposition, and low activity loss. The effect of CH4:CO2 ratio revealed that both catalysts have the same behavior. An increase in CO2 concentration resulted in a decrease in H-2/CO ratio from 2.9 to 2.4 for the Ni catalyst at 850 degrees C, and from 3 to 2.4 for the Ru catalyst at 700 degrees C. In conclusion, optimal performance has been achieved in a CH4:CO2 ratio of 1.5:1. H-2 yield was 60% for both catalysts at their respective operating temperature. Prototype dimensions and catalysts preparation and characterization are also presented. (C) 2017 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.