Steam reforming of glycerol over Ni/Mg/γ-Al2O3 catalysts. Effect of calcination temperatures

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy 2012-10, Vol.37 (19), p.14926-14930
• Main Authors: Dieuzeide, M.L., Iannibelli, V., Jobbagy, M., Amadeo, N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Glycerol; Hydrogen; Ni/Mg/Al2O3 catalyst; Steam reforming; Syngas
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2011.12.086

The aim of this work is to study the catalytic activity of Ni(10%) based catalysts supported over ã-Al2O3 modified with Mg (3%) for the steam reforming of glycerol. Catalysts have been prepared by incipient wetness impregnation method; analysing the effect of the calcination temperature of the modified support and the calcination temperature of the catalysts. Catalysts were characterized by temperature programmed reduction, (TPR), x-ray diffraction (DRX) and BET surface area. All catalysts were tested for this reaction in a fixed bed reactor. The best performance was achieved with the catalyst calcined at 500 °C being the optimum calcination temperature for the modified support of 900 °C This behaviour is ascribable to the formation of MgAl2O4 spinel which favours the dispersion of Ni°, responsible of the catalytic activity. ► Ni/Mg/Al2O3 catalysts were prepared by wetness impregnation method. ► These catalysts have an optimum performance for the steam reforming of glycerol. ► The effect of the calcination temperature of the support and the catalyst was analyzed. ► The optimum calcination temperatures were 900°C for the support and 500°C for the catalyst. ► The formation of the MgAl2O4 spinel improves the dispersion of NiO on the support.