Production of synthesis gas by partial oxidation and steam reforming of biomass pyrolysis oils

Author/Creator ORCID

Date

2010-03-05

Department

Program

Citation of Original Publication

Rennard, David; French, Rick; Czernik, Stefan; Josephson, Tyler R.; Schmidt, Lanny; Production of synthesis gas by partial oxidation and steam reforming of biomass pyrolysis oils; International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, Volume 35, Issue 9, May 2010, Pages 4048-4059; https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0360319910002429#!

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Public Domain Mark 1.0
This work was written as part of one of the author's official duties as an Employee of the United States Government and is therefore a work of the United States Government. In accordance with 17 U.S.C. 105, no copyright protection is available for such works under U.S. Law.

Subjects

Abstract

As the lowest cost biomass-derived liquids, pyrolysis oils (also called bio-oils) represent a promising vector for biomass to fuels conversion. However, bio-oils require upgrading to interface with existing infrastructure. A potential pathway for producing fuels from pyrolysis oils proceeds through gasification, the conversion to synthesis gas. In this work, the conversion of bio-oils to syngas via catalytic partial oxidation over Rh–Ce is evaluated using two reactor configurations. In one instance, pyrolysis oils are oxidized in excess steam in a freeboard and passed over the catalyst in a second zone. In the second instance, bio-oils are introduced directly to the catalyst. Coke formation is avoided in both configurations due to rapid oxidation. H₂ and CO can be produced autothermally over Rh–Ce catalysts with millisecond contact times. Co-processing of bio-oil with methane or methanol improved the reactor operation stability.