Optimization of the operating conditions for steam reforming of slow pyrolysis oil over an activated biochar-supported Ni–Co catalyst

Abstract Highly performing activated biochar-based catalysts were produced for steam reforming of slow pyrolysis oil. The raw biochar obtained from the slow pyrolysis step was physically activated with CO2 at 700 °C and 1.0 MPa and then employed as support. Preliminary tests on steam reforming of acetic acid at 600 °C showed that using activated biochar-supported catalysts containing 10 wt % Ni and 7 wt % Co led to a conversion above 90% with a relatively slow deactivation rate. When a representative organic model compounds mixture was used as feed, relatively fast deactivation of the catalyst was observed, probably due to the adsorption of heavy organic compounds, which could subsequently react to form not easily desorbable reaction intermediates. However, the dual Ni–Co catalysts exhibited a good performance during the steam reforming of a real slow pyrolysis oil at 750 °C, showing long stability and a constant carbon conversion of 65%.