Sorption Enhanced Steam Reforming of Glycerol: Use of La-Modified Ni/Al2O3 as Catalyst

Glycerol is being produced on a massive scale as a byproduct of biodiesel. In this work, glycerol steam reforming was improved by CO 2 abatement to obtain high-value gases. CaO and activated dolomite were used as sorbents, and these results were compared to reactions using Al 2 O 3 and MgO. The effect of packing material was evaluated at 600, 700, 800, and 850 °C. Hydrogen production was promoted either in the presence of a sorbent at 600 °C or at higher temperatures with any of the packing material. Sorbents also affected the water gas shift reaction, decreasing the CO concentration. Simultaneous use of Ni/La 2 O 3 /Al 2 O 3 and CaO improved gas production and hydrogen selectivity. The H 2 percentage in the produced gas was close to 70% and around 5 mol of H 2 was produced per mole of glycerol. Catalyst and sorbent were used for several reaction cycles.