Hydrogen Production from Biomass Pyrolysis and In-line Catalytic Steam Reforming

Hydrogen production from pyrolysis-catalytic steam reforming of pine sawdust has been investigated using two subsequent reactors: i) a conical spouted bed reactor for biomass pyrolysis at 500 degrees C, and ii) a fluidized bed reactor for catalytic reforming of volatiles from the pyrolysis step. A commercial Ni reforming catalyst has been used for the reforming step (Reformax (R) 330). 99.7 % conversion and a H-2 yield of 93.45 % are achieved at 600 degrees C, 0.28 gcatalyst h gbiomass(-1) and S/C ratio of 8.2, producing 11.2 g of hydrogen per 100 g of biomass fed into the process. Increasing reaction time, higher coke contents are deposited on the catalyst due to secondary reactions. This is the main cause of catalyst activity decrease, although deactivation is attenuated by the good performance of the fluidized bed reactor and the excess of steam in the reaction medium (high S/C ratio).