Comparison of Ni Based and Rh Based Catalyst Performance in the Oxidative Steam Reforming of Raw Bio-Oil

The effect of O2 content in the oxidative steam reforming (OSR) of raw bio-oil has been studied, and the kinetic behavior, particularly deactivation, has been compared between two catalysts (Ni/La2O3-αAl2O3 and Rh/CeO2-ZrO2). The experiments have been carried out in an apparatus with two steps in series: (1) thermal treatment (at 500 °C, for the controlled deposition of pyrolytic lignin) and (2) catalytic in-line reforming in a fluidized bed. The reaction conditions have been as follows: oxygen/carbon ratio (O/C), 0, 0.17, 0.34, and 0.67; 700 °C; steam/carbon ratio (S/C), 6; space time, 0.3 gcatalysth/gbio-oil (for Ni/La2O3-αAl2O3) and 0.15 gcatalysth/gbio-oil (for Rh/CeO2-ZrO2); time on stream, 4 h. The content and morphology of the coke deposited on the catalysts has been determined by temperature-programmed oxidation (TPO), and the deterioration of the metallic properties of the catalysts by temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results (bio-oil conversion, product yie...