Reaction Kinetics of Steam Reforming of n ‐Butanol over a Ni/Hydrotalcite Catalyst

Pyrolytic lignin can be transformed to liquid transportation fuels by hydrotreatment, which requires hydrogen (H 2 ). Bio‐oil is a suitable renewable feedstock for H 2 production. Here, n ‐butanol was chosen as a model compound representing alcohols in the bio‐oil aqueous fraction. H 2 production from steam reforming of n ‐butanol was investigated in a fixed‐bed reactor using a commercial Ni/hydrotalcite catalyst. A plausible reaction pathway in the presence of Ni was discussed. An increase in reforming temperature, space time, and steam/carbon ratio in the feed enhanced the n ‐butanol conversion and H 2 yield. Reaction kinetics was studied in the defined chemical control regime. The reaction order with respect to n ‐butanol (one) and the activation energy were determined.