Time-on-Stream Stability of New Catalysts for Low- Temperature Steam Reforming of Biogas

Abstract

Time-on-stream stability of six different steam reforming catalysts has been tested at 500 °C under a simulated biogas feed. The catalysts are based on different combinations of Ni, Pt and Rh as active species, and CeO2, ZrO2 and La2O3 as support. In order to perform a conservative analysis, biogas was simulated with a 50 % v/v CO2-CH4 mixture; furthermore a steam to methane ratio as low as 2.5 has alsobeen used. All the samples containing CeO2 in the support proved fairly stable up to 50 h on stream. Therefore, these catalysts are worth being further investigated to assess their activity and determine appropriate reaction rate expressions.