(396f) Comparison of Bench Scale and Pilot Plant Operations Via Characterization of a Ni/Mg/K/Al2O3 Tar Reforming Catalyst

Thermochemical conversion of biomass into liquid transportation fuels can be achieved through the gasification route. In order to efficiently utilize the carbon in the biomass and protect downstream processing equipment, the light hydrocarbons and tars in the gas stream following gasification should be converted into additional synthesis gas through steam reforming. A highly active Ni/Mg/K/Al2O3 catalyst was tested for conditioning: i) simulated biomass gasification vapors on the benchscale and ii) oak gasification vapors in a pilot plant fluidized bed reactor. Steady-state kinetic experiments were conducted to determine catalytic activity and surface and bulk material characterization was performed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), BET surface area measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), laser Raman spectroscopy (LRS), and diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy (DRIFTS). Various deactivation and regeneration processes were also investigated.