Kinetics of CO2 gasification of biomass char in granulated blast furnace slag

The CO₂ gasification reactions of biomass char in granulated BFS (blast furnace slag) were isothermally investigated using a thermogravimetric analyzer with the temperature ranging from 1173 K to 1323 K. The effects of temperature, biomass type and granulated BFS on the kinetic characterizations of CO₂ gasification of biomass char were illuminated. The kinetic mechanism models and parameters were obtained through a novel two-step calculation method. The results indicated that the CO₂ gasification reactivity of biomass char as conversion and gasification index increased with the increase of temperature and it could be promoted through granulated BFS. The CO₂ gasification reactivity of CS (cornstalk) char with lower alkali index was lower than that of PS (peanut shell) char. The A₄ model (Avrami-Erofeev (m = 4) model) and A₃ model (Avrami-Erofeev (m = 3) model) were demonstrated as the best appropriate models for CO₂ gasification of CS char and PS char, respectively. The gasification activation energy of CS char ranging from 155.08 to 160.48 kJ/mol was higher than that of PS char whether with or without granulated BFS. Granulated BFS could decrease the activation energy of CO₂ gasification of char at any biomass type.     

Optimization of renewable hydrogen-rich syngas production from catalytic reforming of greenhouse gases (CH4 and CO2) over calcium iron oxide supported nickel catalyst

Multi-response optimization of hydrogen-rich syngas from catalytic reforming of greenhouses (methane and carbon dioxide over Calcium iron oxide supported Nickel (15 wt%Ni/CaFe₂O₄) catalyst was performed by varying reaction temperature (700–800 °C), feed ratio (0.4–1.0) and gas hourly space velocity (10,000–60,000 h^?1)) using response surface methodology. Four response surface methodology (RSM) models were obtained for the prediction of reactant conversion and the product yield. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) conducted on the model showed that the parameters have significant effect on the responses. Optimum conditions for the methane dry reforming over the 15 wt%Ni/CaFe₂O₄ catalyst were obtained at reaction temperature, feed ratio and gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) of 832.45 °C, 0.96 and 35,000 mL g^?1 h^?1 respectively with overall desirability value of 0.999 resulting in the highest methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) conversions of 85.00%, 88.00% and hydrogen (H₂) and carbon monoxide (CO) yields of 77.82% and 75.76%, respectively.     

Kinetic characterizations of biomass char CO2-gasification reaction within granulated blast furnace slag

The reactions of biomass char CO₂-gasification within granulated blast furnace slag (BFS) were systematically conducted by the non-isothermal program using a thermogravimetric analyzer. At the same time during reaction proceeded, the conversion of biomass char CO₂-gasification reaction increased with the increasing heating rate. However, at the same temperature during reaction proceeded, the conversion of biomass char CO₂-gasification reaction decreased with the increasing heating rate. The granulated BFS could be used as a catalyst in the biomass char CO₂-gasification reaction and its catalytic effect became more obvious with the increasing content of BFS in the mixture. The A₄ model (nuclei production (m = 4) model) selected through the novel two-step method firstly proposed in the study was the best match with all the gasification reactions. The activation energy was from 52.75 kJ/mol to 64.42 kJ/mol and was lower with the increase of heating rate and the content of BFS in the mixture. The kinetic equations of biomass char CO₂-gasification reaction within granulated BFS were developed through the selected model and calculated kinetic parameters.     

Kinetic and experimental characterizations of biomass pyrolysis in granulated blast furnace slag

With the objective of abating the energy crisis and greenhouse gas emissions, biomass pyrolysis to recover waste heat from granulated blast furnace (BF) slag was investigated via thermogravimetric and continuous fixed-bed experiments. The results showed that the mass conversion of biomass pyrolysis increased with the increasing heating rate. At the same time, a higher gas yield and lower heating value (LHV) and concentrations of H₂ and CO were obtained with the increasing temperature. Granulated BF slag can promote the pyrolysis and reforming of biomass tar, increasing the gas yield and LHV and H₂ concentration. Thus, granulated BF slag not only provided heat for the pyrolysis reaction but also promoted the pyrolysis and reforming of biomass tar, which might block and corrode pipes in practical production. The shrinking core model (R2) selected using a two-step calculation method interpreted the biomass pyrolysis in granulated BF slag. The reaction activation energy ranged from 60.743 kJ/mol to 65.963 kJ/mol as the heating rate decreased from 40 K/min to 10 K/min.     

Operation of Rh/Ce0.75Zr0.25O2-δ-ƞ-Al2O3/FeCrAl wire mesh honeycomb catalytic modules in diesel steam and autothermal reforming

The Rh/Ce_0·75Zr_0·25O_2–δ-ƞ-Al₂O₃/FeCrAl structured catalytic blocks of length 10, 20, and 60 mm were prepared and tested in the reactions of steam and autothermal reforming of n-hexadecane. It was found in a series of experiments on hexadecane steam reforming with the catalyst heating solely through the reactor wall that the complete conversion of hexadecane at a furnace temperature below 750 °C was not achieved even at GHSV = 10,000 h⁻¹. Under these conditions, the formation of carbon on the catalyst surface was observed. At the reactor wall temperature of 800 °C, the complete conversion of hexadecane was achieved even in the 10 mm long catalytic block (GHSV = 60,000 h⁻¹), accompanied by the formation of various intermediate light hydrocarbons. To achieve complete conversion of these intermediate compounds (mainly 1-alkenes), it is necessary to carry out the steam reforming reaction at GHSV = 10,000 h⁻¹. At hexadecane autothermal reforming, heat is supplied to the reaction zone by exothermic oxidation reaction, which makes this process more efficient. In experiments with the use of additional external heat supply through the reactor wall, complete conversion of hexadecane occurred at GHSV = 120,000 h⁻¹. To convert all by-products (mainly 1-alkenes) and achieve a nearly thermodynamic equilibrium distribution of the main reaction products (H₂, CO, CO₂), the reaction should be carried out at GHSV = 20,000 h⁻¹. Without external heat supply, hexadecane conversion decreased, while the content of light hydrocarbons in the reaction products increased. An increase in the inlet amount of oxygen helps to compensate the heat losses in the reactor and to increase the efficiency of hexadecane autothermal reforming. The performed experiments allow better understanding of the processes which occur during the steam and autothermal reforming of diesel.     

CO2 reforming of methane over NixMg6−xAl2 catalysts: Effect of lanthanum doping on catalytic activity and stability

Ni_xMg_6?xAl₂ and Ni_xMg_6?xAl_1.8La_0.2 (x = 2, 4 or 6) catalysts were prepared via a co-precipitation method and calcined under an air flow at 800 °C. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results showed that the Ni_xMg_6?xAl_1.8La_0.2 catalysts contained different lanthanum oxide species after calcination. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra demonstrated that the lanthanum doped catalysts adsorbed more CO₂ compared to the lanthanum free solids. This improved basicity was verified in the CO₂-TPD profiles. Temperature programmed reduction (TPR) analyses proved that the addition of lanthanum affected nickel species distribution in the catalysts and strengthened NiO-MgO interactions inside the solid matrix. The CO₂ reforming of methane reaction (Ar/CO₂/CH₄:60/20/20; GHSV 60000 mL g^?1 h^?1) was carried out over the different catalysts in the temperature range of 600 °C–800 °C. Lanthanum addition improved the catalytic activity particularly by favoring the methane dry reforming reaction over all the other secondary reactions in addition to the creation of more basic sites that enhanced CO₂ adsorption and contributed to the removal of carbon deposits. The most active lanthanum containing catalyst kept a constant catalytic performance for 14 h on stream despite the formation of carbon deposits. These carbon deposits can be removed under an oxidative atmosphere at moderate temperature due to the presence of lanthanum oxide species in the catalyst.     

Characterization of the physicochemical and structural evolution of biomass particles during combined pyrolysis and CO2 gasification

The combination of pyrolysis and CO₂ gasification was studied to synergistically improve the syngas yield and biochar quality. The subsequent 60-min CO₂ gasification at 800 °C after pyrolysis increased the syngas yield from 23.4% to 40.7% while decreasing the yields of biochar and bio-oil from 27.3% to 17.1% and from 49.3% to 42.2%, respectively. The BET area of the biochar obtained by the subsequent 60-min CO₂ gasification at 800 °C was 384.5 m²/g, compared to 6.8 m²/g for the biochar obtained by the 60-min pyrolysis at 800 °C, and 1.4 m²/g for the raw biomass. The biochar obtained above 500 °C was virtually amorphous.     

Effect of La2O3 replacement on γ-Al2O3 supported nickel catalysts for acetic acid steam reforming

The effect of replacement of γ-Al₂O₃ by La₂O₃ was studied on Ni catalysts for hydrogen production via acetic acid steam reforming. The La/(La + Al) weight ratio ranged from 0 to 1 in the catalyst support prepared by co-precipitation method. Over the Ni/La-3Al catalyst (the La/(La + Al) weight ratio at 0.25), the carbon conversion and hydrogen yield reached 100% and 72.72%, respectively, which was obviously higher than other catalysts at 700 °C, S/C = 1 and LHSV = 10 h^?1. The effect of S/C, LHSV and stability test were studied in detail over Ni/La-3Al catalyst, whose high activity maintained for more than 30 h.     

Study of coking and catalyst stability over CaO promoted Ni-based MCF synthesized by different methods for CH4/CO2 reforming reaction

CaO doped Ni/MCF catalysts were prepared by conventional incipient wetness impregnation and sol-gel methods for the study of methane dry reforming reaction. The fresh and used catalysts were characterized using H₂ temperature programmed reduction (H₂-TPR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetry (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and O₂ temperature-programmed oxidation (O₂-TPO). XRD exhibited that CaO and Ni particles are dispersed on the surface of catalyst. The Ni:CaO ratio was adjusted for the improvement of pore textural properties on behalf of enhancement of metal particle dispersion for increased catalytic performance and anti-coking. The catalytic performance and stability of the catalysts for methane dry reforming reaction were studied at 700–750 °C at atmospheric pressure with GHSV of 24000 mL g^?1h^?1 having same feed ratio of CH₄:CO₂ = 1. Experimental results exhibited that catalyst prepared by a sol-gel method showed superior catalytic activity, stability and resisted carbon deposition than catalyst prepared incipient wetness impregnation method. Among all tested catalysts 9CaO 9Ni/MCF catalyst remained the best for catalytic performance and anti-coking activity due to higher metal dispersion with small metal particles, as well as the synergetic effect between CaO and Ni. During 75 h stability test over the catalyst 9CaO 9Ni/MCF the CH₄ and CO₂ conversion remained 91% and 99% respectively.     

Dry reforming of methane powered by magnetic induction

Dry reforming of methane is a highly endothermic reaction that produces syngas from CH₄ and CO₂. It operates at 800–1000 °C to meet thermodynamic constraints, achieve high equilibrium conversion and minimize catalyst deactivation due to carbon deposition. In this paper we report our experimental results on the catalytic activation of dry reforming powered by induction heating. Energy is supplied by a radiofrequency alternating magnetic field to Ni₆₀Co₄₀ alloy that works at the same time as catalyst for the reforming reaction and heat generator by dissipation of the electromagnetic energy. In such a way, the heat of reaction is directly provided by the catalytic bed, avoiding dissipation due to inefficient transfer from outside the reactor.Temperatures higher than 850 °C have been easily reached using Ni₆₀Co₄₀ pellets as heat mediators in a continuous-flow fixed-bed reactor. At this temperature methane conversion and hydrogen production occurred with yield comparable to those obtained by conventional heating. Reported evidences open new opportunities in the research of magnetic materials for industrial chemical processes.     

Catalysts of Ni/α-Al2O3 and Ni/La2O3-αAl2O3 for hydrogen production by steam reforming of bio-oil aqueous fraction with pyrolytic lignin retention

This paper reports on the steam reforming, in continuous regime, of the aqueous fraction of bio-oil obtained by flash pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass (sawdust). The reaction system is provided with two steps in series: i) thermal step at 200 °C, for the pyrolytic lignin retention, and ii) reforming in-line of the treated bio-oil in a fluidized bed reactor, in the range 600–800 °C, with space-time between 0.10 and 0.45 g_catalyst h (g_bio-oil)⁻¹. The benefits of incorporating La₂O₃ to the Ni/α-Al₂O₃ catalyst on the kinetic behavior (bio-oil conversion, yield and selectivity of hydrogen) and deactivation were determined. The significant role of temperature in gasifying coke precursors was also analyzed. Complete conversion of bio-oil is achieved with the Ni/La₂O₃-αAl₂O₃ catalyst, at 700 °C and space-time of 0.22 g_catalyst h (g_bio-oil)⁻¹. The catalyst deactivation is low and the hydrogen yield and selectivity achieved are 96% and 70%, respectively.     

Steam reforming of propionic acid: Thermodynamic analysis of a model compound for hydrogen production from bio-oil

The thermodynamic equilibrium of steam reforming of propionic acid (HPAc) as a bio-oil model compound was studied over a wide range of reaction conditions (T = 500–900 °C, P = 1–10 bar and H₂O/HPAc = 0–4 mol/mol) using non-stoichiometric equilibrium models. The effect of operating conditions on equilibrium conversion, product composition and coke formation was studied. The equilibrium calculations indicate nearly complete conversion of propionic acid under these conditions. Additionally, carbon and methane formation are unfavorable at high temperatures and high steam to carbon (S/C) ratios. The hydrogen yield versus S/C ratio passes a maximum, the value and position of which depends on temperature. The thermodynamic equilibrium results for HPAc fit favorably with experimental data for real bio-oil steam reforming under same reaction conditions.     

Syngas production by chemical looping gasification of rice husk using Fe-based oxygen carrier

The chemical looping gasification (CLG) of rice husk was conducted in a fixed bed reactor to analyze the effects of the ratio of oxygen carrier to rice husk (O/C), temperature, residence time and preparation methods of Fe-based oxygen carriers. The yield of gas, H₂/CO, lower heating value of syngas (LHV), conversion efficiency and performance parameters were analyzed to obtain CLG reaction characterization and optimal reaction conditions. Results showed that when O/C increased from 0.5 to 3.0, the gas production, H₂/CO, CO₂ yield and carbon conversion efficiency gradually increased, while the yield of H₂, CO and CH₄ and LHV gradually decreased. At the same time, a highest gasification efficiency was obtained when O/C was 1.5. As increasing temperature, the gas production, CO yield, carbon conversion efficiency and gasification efficiency gradually increased, while the yield of H₂, CH₄ and CO₂, H₂/CO and LHV gradually decreased. Sintering and agglomeration was obvious when the temperature was higher than 850 °C. When the reaction time increased from 10 min to 60 min, the gas production, CO yield, carbon conversion efficiency and gasification efficiency gradually increased, but the yield of H₂, H₂/CO and LHV decreased, among which 30 min was the best reaction residence time. In addition, coprecipitation was the best preparation method among several preparation methods of oxygen carrier. Finally, O/C of 1.5, 800 °C, 30 min and coprecipitation preparation method of oxygen carrier were the optimal parameters to obtain a gasification efficiency of 26.88%, H₂ content of 35.64%, syngas content of 56.40%, H₂/CO ratio of 1.72 and LHV of 12.25 MJ/Nm³.     

The effect of oxygen carrier content and temperature on chemical looping gasification of microalgae for syngas production

The study of the effect of oxygen carrier content and temperature on chemical looping gasification (CLG) of Chlorella vulgaris was carried out in a fixed bed reactor. In order to obtain the characterization and optimal conditions of CLG for syngas production, this paper analyzed the product fractional yields, gaseous yields, conversion efficiency, SEM, XRD and composition analysis of oxygen carriers. The results indicated that CLG had a greater performance on gasification characteristics. When O/C increased from 0.5 to 3.0, gas yield, CO₂ yield and carbon conversion efficiency increased gradually, but LHV, H₂ and CH₄ yields decreased. Meanwhile, CO yield and gasification efficiency increased firstly and then decreased. Oxygen carrier Fe₂O₃ exhibited the characteristics of step-wise reduction (Fe₂O₃ → Fe₃O₄ → FeO) in CLG process. More FeO were generated at O/C of 0.5 and then caused serious sintering and agglomeration. High temperature was helpful to improve gas yield, carbon conversion efficiency and gasification efficiency. However, higher temperature would cause sintering and then weaken the activity of oxygen carrier. Moreover, under the experimental condition, O/C of 1.0 and 800 °C were the optimal parameters to obtain a high conversion efficiency of biomass, high products yield, good LHV and great reducibility of oxygen carrier.     

Rh promoted and ZrO2/Al2O3 supported Ni/Co based catalysts: High activity for CO2 reforming,steam–CO2 reforming and oxy–CO2 reforming of CH4

Ni (2.5 wt%) and Co (2.5 wt%) supported over ZrO₂/Al₂O₃ were prepared by following a hydrolytic co-precipitation method. The synthesized catalysts were further promoted by Rh incorporation (0.01–1.00 wt%) and tested for their catalytic performance for dry CO₂ reforming, combined steam–CO₂ reforming and oxy–CO₂ reforming of methane for production of syngas. The catalysts were characterized by using N₂ physical adsorption, XRD, H₂–TPR, SEM, CO₂–TPD, NH₃–TPD, TEM and TGA. The results revealed that ZrO₂ phase was in crystalline form in the catalysts along with amorphous Al oxides. Ni and Co were confirmed to be in their respective spinel phases that were reducible to metallic form at 800 °C under H₂. Ni and Co were well dispersed with their nano-crystalline nature. The catalyst with 0.2% loading of Rh showed superior performance in the studied reactions for reforming of methane. This catalyst also showed good coke resistance ability for dry CO₂ reforming reaction with 3.8 wt% of carbon formation during the reaction as compared to 11.6 wt% carbon formation over the catalyst without Rh. The catalyst performance was stable throughout the reaction time for CH₄ conversions, irrespective of carbon formation with slight decline (～1%) in CO₂ conversion. For dry CO₂ reforming reaction, this catalyst showed good conversion for both CH₄ and CO₂ (67.6% and 71.8% respectively) with a H₂/CO ratio of 0.84, while for the Oxy-CO₂ reforming reaction, the activity was superior with CH₄ and CO₂ conversions (73.7% and 83.8% respectively) and H₂/CO ratio of 1.05.     

Hydrogen-rich gas production from pyrolysis of wet sludge in situ steam agent

A series of wet sludge samples with different moisture contents were pyrolyzed in situ steam in a bench-scale fixed bed reactor in order to examine the influence of moisture and temperature on product distribution and gas composition. The results demonstrated that inherent moisture in wet sludge had a great effect on the product yield. The pyrolysis of wet sludge (43.38% moisture content) at 800 °C exhibited maximum H₂ yield (7.76 mol kg^?1 dry basis wet sludge) and dry gas yield (0.61 Nm³ kg^?1) and H₂ content of 42.13 vol%. When the moisture exceeded 43.38%, H₂ yield and gas yield both tended to decline. It was also shown that the elevated temperature exhibited a significant influence on gas content increase and tar reduction; at the same time, H₂ yield and H₂ content were increased from 1.83 mol kg^?1 dry basis wet sludge and 16.67 vol% to 9.15 mol kg^?1 dry basis wet sludge and 45.67 vol%, respectively, as temperature increased from 600 °C to 850 °C. LHV of fuel gas varies from 15.49 MJ Nm^?3 to 11.65 MJ Nm^?3 because of decrease in CH₄ and C₂H₄ content as temperature increasing. In conclusion, hydrogen rich gas production by pyrolysis of wet sludge which avoided pre-drying process and utilized in situ steam agent from wet sludge is an economic method.     

Response surface methodology for carbon dioxide reforming of natural gas

The performance of 0.5% wt Rh/γ-AL₂O₃ catalyst for the dry reforming of natural gas using carbon dioxide has been studied. The response surface methodology (RSM) is used to study the effect of two different operating parameters, namely the hourly space velocity at the levels 18,000, 36,000, 45,000, and 60,000 ccg^?1 h^?1 and the reaction temperature at the levels 600, 700, and 800°C, on the conversion of the different components comprising commercial natural gas. The RSM is used to illustrate such effect in the three dimensions and shows the location of the optimum for the conversion or production of each component.     

CFD study of heat and mass transfer in ethanol steam reforming in a catalytic membrane reactor

This work shows the analysis of ethanol steam reforming process within a catalytic membrane reactor. A 2-D non-isothermal CFD model was developed using Comsol Multiphysics, based on previous experimentally validated isothermal model. A comprehensive heat and mass transfer study was carried out utilizing the model. Operating conditions such as liquid hourly space velocity (LHSV) (3.77–37.7 h^?1), temperature (673–823 K), reaction side pressure (4–10 bar) and permeate side sweep gas flow pattern were discussed. A temperature gradient along the reactor was observed from the model and a “cold spot” was seen at the reactor entrance area, which is unfavorable for the highly endothermic ethanol steam reforming process. By changing the sweep gas pattern to counter-current, the “cold spot” appears to be smaller with a reduced temperature drop. By studying the individual reaction rates, reverse methane steam reforming (methanation) was observed, caused by the low temperature in the “cold spot”. Optimal operating conditions were found to be under LHSV = 37.7 h^?1 and counter-current sweep gas conditions.     

Steam reforming and oxidative steam reforming for hydrogen production from bioethanol over Mg2AlNiXHZOY nano-oxyhydride catalysts

Mg₂AlNi_XH_ZO_Y nano-oxyhydrides formation is evidenced during pre-treatment in H₂ at 450 °C of Mg₂AlNi_XO_Y nano-compounds leading to highly performant catalysts in ethanol conversion and H₂ formation, particularly at low temperature, through catalytic steam reforming (SRE) and oxidative steam reforming (OSRE). Total conversion of ethanol is obtained in SRE and OSRE with high stability. A higher production of H₂ (60 L h^?1 g_cat^?1) can be achieved at a reaction temperature of 300 °C in OSRE conditions compared to SRE (10 L h^?1 g_cat^?1) mainly because of a beneficial use of a high concentration of ethanol (14 mol%) in presence of O₂. Moreover, carbon formation is decreased and a much lower input of energy of 50 °C is used to get a temperature of 300 °C when O₂ is added. Different physico-chemical characterizations and in particular in H₂ (TPR, H₂-XRD, INS) and after tests allow to conclude that the presence of Ni²⁺ cations in strong interaction with other cations, anionic vacancies and hydride species on and inside the solid play an important role in the catalytic performance (conversion and selectivity) and stability.     

Hydrogen production of bio-oil steam reforming combining heat recovery of blast furnace slag: Thermodynamic analysis

Hydrogen production via steam reforming of bio-oil combining heat recovery of blast furnace slag was investigated via thermodynamic analysis in this paper. The addition of blast furnace slag just had a slight enhancement for hydrogen production from the steam reforming process of bio-oil at low temperature, and had almost no thermodynamic effect (either promotion or restraint) for the steam reforming reaction equilibrium at high temperature where higher H₂ yield were obtained, no matter how much blast furnace slag was added. However, different masses of blast furnace slag as heat carrier supply different amounts of heat, so the optimal blast furnace slag addition was performed via energy balance. If the sensible heats of the reformed gas and the slag after steam reforming reactions were unrecycled, the required mass of blast furnace slag was over 30 times of bio-oil mass, while the required slag mass was just 11.5 times of bio-oil mass if the sensible heats after the steam reforming reactions were recycled. For the latter, about 0.144 Nm³ H₂ per kg blast furnace slag was obtained at the reforming temperature of 700–750 °C and the steam/carbon mole ratio of 6.