Biogas dry reforming for hydrogen production over Ni-M-Al catalysts (M = Mg, Li, Ca, La, Cu, Co, Zn)

Biogas can be highlighted as a renewable raw material for the production of hydrogen. In this study, Ni-M-Al catalysts were evaluated to obtain hydrogen from the biogas reforming. The catalysts were synthesized by coprecipitation with Ni and Al with a molar percentage of 55 and 33%, respectively, varying the third component M = Mg, Li, Ca, La, Cu, Co, Zn, with a molar percentage of 11%. The reactions were carried out in a fixed bed tubular reactor using a synthetic biogas (70% of CH4 and 30% of CO2). The results showed that the CH4 conversion increased with the temperature up to 700 degrees C for La11, Cu11, and Zn11 catalysts. CO2 conversion increased for all catalysts in the range of 500-700 degrees C. The H-2/CO molar ratios observed in the reactions were higher than 1 due to the contribution of the CH4 decomposition reaction. The catalyst containing La presented better stability in the reactions due to the stronger acid sites and high resistance to sintering. Carbon filaments were produced by all catalysts at 600 and 700 degrees C. Sintering was the main cause of deactivation of the catalysts, except for La11. (C) 2019 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.