Ni-olivine catalysts prepared by direct thermal diffusion of Ni into olivine: Applications for biomass gasification

FUEL 60

Larry G. Felix, larry.felix@gastechnology.org1, Chun W. Choi, chun.choi@gastechnology.org1, Rachid B. Slimane, rachid.slimane@gastechnology.org1, David M. Rue, david.rue@gastechnology.org1, Scott L. Swartz, s.swartz@nextechmaterials.com2, Umit S. Ozkan, ozkan.1@osu.edu3, John Kuhn, kuhn.488@osu.edu3, and Zhongkui Zhao, zhao.164@osu.edu3. (1) Gasification & Gas Processing, Gas Technology Institute, 2800 Milan Ct, Suite 346, Birmingham, AL 35211, (2) NexTech Materials, Ltd, 404 Enterprise Drive, Lewis Center, OH 43035, (3) Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, 140 West 19th Ave., Columbus, OH 43210
A new method for preparing Ni-olivine catalysts is presented and discussed. In this approach, catalytically-active materials have been prepared by direct, thermal diffusion of Ni metal and Ni compounds into olivine particles that are of a proper size to be employed in fluid-bed biomass gasification (200-400 micrometer fragments) or incorporation into catalyst monoliths. In a dedicated catalyst test facility with synthesized syngas, packed beds of Ni-olivine catalysts prepared according to this approach have been evaluated for extended periods and demonstrated to be effective in decomposing naphthalene (a surrogate for the tars typically found in biomass-derived syngas) and reforming methane. These catalysts have been prepared at temperatures ranging from 1000°C to 1400°C in both inert and oxidizing atmospheres and have been found to exhibit catalytic activity with synthesized syngas containing H2, CO, CO2, CH4, H2O, N2, and naphthalene at reaction temperatures ranging from 650°C to 900°C.