Hydrogen production from catalytic gasification of cellulose in supercritical water

• Published in: Chemical engineering journal (Lausanne, Switzerland : 1996) Switzerland : 1996), 2005-06, Vol.110 (1), p.57-65
• Main Authors: Hao, Xiaohong, Guo, Liejin, Zhang, Ximin, Guan, Yu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Catalysis; Catalytic reactions; Cellulose; Chemical engineering; Chemistry; Exact sciences and technology; Gasification; General and physical chemistry; Hydrogen production; Reactors; Supercritical water; Theory of reactions, general kinetics. Catalysis. Nomenclature, chemical documentation, computer chemistry
• ISSN: 1385-8947; 1873-3212
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2005.05.002

Interests in large-scale use of biomass for energy and in hydrogen are motivated largely by global environmental issues. Cellulose and sawdust were gasified in supercritical water to produce hydrogen-rich gas in this paper, and Ru/C, Pd/C, CeO 2 paticles, nano-CeO 2 and nano-(CeZr) x O 2 were selected as catalysts. The experimental results showed that the catalytic activities were Ru/C > Pd/C > nano-(CeZr) x O 2 > nano-CeO 2 > CeO 2 particle in turn. Low-concentration sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) (2–3 wt.%) was mixed with particulate biomass and water to form a uniform and stable viscous paste which can be efficiently gasified. The 10 wt.% cellulose or sawdust with CMC can be gasified near completely with Ru/C catalyst to produce 2–4 g hydrogen yield and 11–15 g potential hydrogen yield per 100 g feedstock at the condition of 500 °C, 27 MPa, 20 min residence time in supercritical water.