Activity of Ni catalysts for hydrogen production via biomass pyrolysis

Ni catalysts were tested in the catalytic pyrolysis of biomass. The influence of Ni loading and various catalytic supports (ZrO 2 , Al 2 O 3 , ZrO 2 + Al 2 O 3 , CeO 2 , SiO 2 ) was studied. Although the gas phase was the main object of this study, solid and liquid residues were tested as well (mainly by TOC and GC-MS methods). Activity tests were performed in a batch reactor with mechanical stirring, equipped with on-line GC. Reaction was conducted at 700°C, with α-cellulose as a biomass model and with waste paper as an example of raw lignocellulosic material. Reactions in the presence of a catalyst gave a higher hydrogen yield. The most promising results were obtained with Ni/ZrO 2 .