Effects of different Al2O3 support on HDPE gasification for enhanced hydrogen generation using Ni-based catalysts

This study examined the effects of Ni loading on different types of alumina (gamma-Al2O3, mesoporous Al2O3, 13 nm-sized Al2O3, and <50 nm-sized Al2O3) for high-density polyethylene gasification for enhanced hydrogen generation. The catalytic activity of Ni loaded alumina was observed in the order of 13 nm-sized Al2O3> mesoporous Al2O3> (<50 nmsized Al2O3) > gamma-Al2O3 for the gas yield and gamma-Al2O3> (<50 nm Al2O3) > mesoporous Al2O3 > 13 nm Al2O3 for the oil yield, respectively. In addition, the production of hydrogen from Ni loaded alumina showed an increasing trend in the order of (<50 nm-sized Al2O3) > gamma-Al2O3> 13 nm-sized Al2O3> mesoporous Al2O3. In contrast, CO showed the trend as Ni/mesoporous Al2O3> Ni/13 nm-sized Al2O3> Ni/g-Al2O3> (Ni/<50 nm Al2O3). The highest level of hydrogen production from the Ni/<50 nm-sized Al2O3 catalyst might be because of its highest Ni dispersion and surface area. The use of Ni-loaded nm-sized alumina could be an excellent method for increased hydrogen production compared to other types of alumina available. (C) 2020 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.