Renewable hydrogen generation via steam reforming of glycerol over Magnesium based catalysts

Abstract

The depleting fossil fuels with their ever increasing prices have paved way for alternative fuels. Biodiesel is one of those alternative fuels which have picked up keen interest of the people due to its similar properties of diesel. Use of biodiesel and its production are expected to grow steadily in the future. With the increase in production of biodiesel, there would be a glut of glycerin in the world market .Glycerin is a potential feed stock for hydrogen production because one mole of glycerin can produce 7 moles of hydrogen. The most efficient method for obtaining hydrogen from glycerol is the steam reforming. This study focuses on hydrogen production from steam reforming of glycerol over magnesium based catalyst using various supports Al₂O_3, La₂O_3, andZrO₂ in fixed bed catalytic reactor. Catalysts was prepared by the wet-impregnation method and characterized by X-ray diffraction technique, BET surface analysis, scanning electron microscopy analysis. The performance of the catalyst was evaluated in terms of hydrogen yield, selectivity and glycerol conversion in the range of temperature 600-850 °C. Glycerol conversion and hydrogen yield were obtained maximum at 800°C for magnesium supported on Al₂O₃.