PRODUCTION OF HYDROGEN FROM BIOMASS BY CATALYTIC STEAM REFORMING OF FAST PYROLYSIS OILS

Hydrogen is of great interest as the cleanest fuel for power generatio n using fuel cells and for transportation. Biomass can be thermochemic ally converted to hydrogen via two distinct strategies: (1) gasificati on followed by shift conversion, and (2) fast pyrolysis of biomass fol lowed by catalytic steam reforming and shift conversion of specific fr actions. This paper presents the latter route. The process begins with fast pyrolysis of biomass to produce bio-oil, which (as a whole or it s selected fractions) can be converted to hydrogen via catalytic steam reforming followed by a shift conversion step. Such a process has bee n demonstrated at the bench scale using model compounds and the aqueou s fraction of poplar oil with commercia! nickel-based steam-reforming catalysts. Hydrogen yields as high as 85% of the stoichiometric value have been obtained. Initial catalyst activity can be maintained throug h periodic regeneration via steam or carbon dioxide (CO2) gasification of the carbonaceous deposits.