Hydrogen production from the steam reforming of biogas over Ni-based catalyst: The role of promoters and supports

• Published in: Energy (Oxford) 2024-12, Vol.311, p.133480, Article 133480
• Main Authors: Liu, Ji, Sun, Huai-de, Hu, Si-Han, Hu, Bin, Fang, Zhi-mo, Li, Ji-hong, Zhang, Zhen-xi, Lu, Qiang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biogas steam reforming; Hydrogen; Modification; Ni-based catalyst
• ISSN: 0360-5442
• DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2024.133480

Biogas steam reforming (BSR) is a sustainable and low-carbon strategy for H2 production. Herein, the conventional Ni/Al2O3 catalyst was modified by distinct promoters (Co, Cu, Fe) and supports (ZrO2, MgO, CeO2) for H2 production from BSR. The effects of modification methods on the catalytic performance were evaluated based on the activity tests and characterizations of catalysts. The introduction of the mono-metal promoter or the mono-metal oxide support was beneficial for the BSR to different degrees. Ni-Co/Al2O3 exhibited higher CH4 conversion ratio (xCH4), and Ni-Fe/Al2O3 showed the least carbon deposition among the catalysts modified by the mono-metal promoter. Both Ni/ZrO2-Al2O3 and Ni/MgO-Al2O3 modified with mono-metal oxide support showed high xCH4 approaching 90 %, with the former leading to less carbon deposition. The coupled modification by metal promoter and metal oxide support did not show a satisfactory performance. The modification by bi-metal oxide support, ZrO2 and MgO, showed the most promising catalytic conversion of CH4 and H2 production among all these modified catalysts, and the maximum values of xCH4 and H2 yield (YH2) reached 90.71 % and 86.06 %, respectively. Ni/MgO-ZrO2-Al2O3 also exhibited excellent stability with a total carbon deposition of 0.042 g·gcata−1 in the 10 h stability test. [Display omitted] •Modification via metal promoter and metal oxide support was employed for Ni/Al2O3.•Combination of metal promoter and metal oxide support had no integrated advantages.•Modification of the carrier by composite metal oxides showed obvious promotion.•Ni/MgO-ZrO2-Al2O3 modified by bi-metal oxides showed the best catalytic activity.