Steam reforming of acetic acid in the presence of Ni coated with SiO2 microsphere catalysts

Abstract

Steam reforming of acetic acid was investigated in the presence of Ni@SiO2 microsphere catalysts. The effects of Ni loading, H2O/AcOH ratio, and temperature on hydrogen selectivity and acetic acid conversion were determined via statistical analysis. Results indicated the dependence of parameters on hydrogen selectivity. The stable activity observed for the reaction conducted at 2.5H(2)O/AcOH ratio and 750 degrees C implied future utilization potential of the catalyst for time on stream experiments despite the inevitable coke formation. Boudard reaction and methane decomposition, known as possible carbon sources, was ruled out due to the opposite trends between CO2 and CO selectivities and mitigation of methanation reactions. The ambiguous pattern of conversions observed for varying H2O/AcOH implied the presence of a different reaction path leading to consecutive ketonozation of acetic acid and aldol-condensation of acetone as the primary sources of carbon deposition. (C) 2020 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.