Steam Reforming of Toluene over Ni/Coal Ash Catalysts: Effect of Coal Ash Composition

The development of a low cost catalyst with high performance and small amount of carbon deposition on catalyst from toluene steam reforming were investigated by using coal ash as a support material. Ni-loaded coal ash catalyst showed similar catalytic activity for toluene steam reforming compared with the Ni/Al₂O₃. At 800 ^oC, the toluene conversion was 77% for Ni/TAL, 68% for Ni/KPU and 78% for Ni/Al₂O₃. Ni/TAL showed similar toluene conversion to Ni/Al₂O₃. However, Ni/KPU produced higher hydrogen yield at relatively lower toluene conversion. Ni/KPU catalyst showed a remarkable ability of suppressing the carbon deposition. The difference in coke deposition and hydrogen yield is due to the composition of KPU ash (Ca and Fe) which increase coke resistance and water gas shift reaction. This study suggests that coal ash catalysts have great potential for the application in the steam reforming of biomass tar.