(283b) Catalytic Aqueous Phase Reforming of Pine Wood, Switchgrass and Wastepaper for H2 and Biocrude Production

The authors report (a) the subcritical aqueous phase reforming of lignocellulosic biomass (pine wood and switchgrass) using homogeneous Ni(NO₃)₂ and heterogeneous catalysts for the production of  H₂ and biocrude/bio-oil, (b) synthesis of novel nanoscale catalytic materials and (c) detailed investigation of biocrude generated from a biomass. Different kinds of bifunctional catalytic materials were prepared using wet-impregnation, solid state synthesis and sol-gel approaches. In the case of sol-gel approach, metal (Ni, Fe)-salt was dispersed in ethanol/water solution containing surfactants such as Brij-76/pluronic 123 and gelation was achieved using propylene oxide. As prepared material was aged, dried, calcined at 400-600 ^oC. Catalyst nanoparticles were also synthesized using solid state synthesis method. The catalytic materials were characterized using X-ray diffraction, FTIR, SEM, TEM and BET. A biomass was loaded in the high temperature high pressure SS316 reactor and aqueous phase reforming was performed at 200 ^o - 300 ^oC. During reforming reaction, gas samples were withdrawn at regular time intervals and analyzed using GC equipped with thermal conductivity detector and Chrompack GC column. The product gas was found to contain mainly H₂, CH₄, CO and CO₂. The processed slurry was centrifuged to recover and biocrude and residue. The biocrude was further analyzed by TOC analyzer, GC-MS and HPLC. The results obtained on H₂ and biocrude composition obtained during aqueous phase reforming of biomass substrates will be presented.