Reaction Kinetics of Steam Reforming of n‐Butanol over a Ni/Hydrotalcite Catalyst

Pyrolytic lignin can be transformed to liquid transportation fuels by hydrotreatment, which requires hydrogen (H₂). Bio‐oil is a suitable renewable feedstock for H₂ production. Here, n‐butanol was chosen as a model compound representing alcohols in the bio‐oil aqueous fraction. H₂ production from steam reforming of n‐butanol was investigated in a fixed‐bed reactor using a commercial Ni/hydrotalcite catalyst. A plausible reaction pathway in the presence of Ni was discussed. An increase in reforming temperature, space time, and steam/carbon ratio in the feed enhanced the n‐butanol conversion and H₂ yield. Reaction kinetics was studied in the defined chemical control regime. The reaction order with respect to n‐butanol (one) and the activation energy were determined.