From Waste to Clean Energy: An Integrated Pyrolysis and Catalytic Steam Reforming Process for Green Hydrogen Production from Agricultural Crop Residues

Biomass holds significant promise as a renewable feedstock for H2 production. In this study, an integrated biomass pyrolysis and bio-oil catalytic steam reforming approach was explored for hydrogen production from biomass, focusing on a mixture of agricultural crop residues as the feed material. An optimal bio-oil yield of 40.6 wt % was achieved at 450 °C with a heating rate of 10 °C/min during pyrolysis. Using a LaNi0.5Co0.5O3 catalyst, time-on-stream experiments exhibited a stable bio-oil conversion (80%) and average H2 yield (60%) over a 12 h period. Furthermore, FESEM and Raman analysis of the spent catalyst revealed considerable coke formation, which contributed to reduced catalytic activity after 5 h. However, coke was predominantly graphitic in nature, which kept the catalyst active over the entire 12 h period despite significant coke coverage.