Steam Reforming of Toluene Over Ni/Coal Ash Catalysts: Effect of Coal Ash Composition

The development of a low cost catalyst with high performance and small amount of carbon deposition on catalyst from toluene steam reforming were investigated by using coal ash as a support material. Ni-loaded coal ash catalyst showed similar catalytic activity for toluene steam reforming compared with the Ni/Al2O3. At 800 degrees C, the toluene conversion was 77% for Ni/TAL, 68% for Ni/KPU and 78% for Ni/Al2O3. Ni/TAL showed similar toluene conversion to Ni/Al2O3. However, Ni/KPU produced higher hydrogen yield at relatively lower toluene conversion. Ni/KPU catalyst showed a remarkable ability of suppressing the carbon deposition. The difference in coke deposition and hydrogen yield is due to the composition of KPU ash (Ca and Fe) which increase coke resistance and water gas shift reaction. This study suggests that coal ash catalysts have great potential for the application in the steam reforming of biomass tar.