Toluene steam reforming over nickel based catalysts

Abstract Steam reforming of toluene (SRT) has been studied initially in eight nickel-based catalysts where nickel (10 wt%) was incorporated different supports (olivine, Al2O3, MgO, LDH, ZrO2, CeO2 and natural sepiolite) by the incipient wetness impregnation method. Among them, catalyst based on sepiolite exhibited a promising catalytic performance, with high conversion (16%), selectivity to hydrogen (68.4%) low production undesired by-products (CO, CH4, ethylene benzene) at temperature (500 °C). On other hand, incorporation Ni sepiolitic material precipitation (PP) considered as alternative method (IWI). PP allowed prepare Ni-based very activity (conversion ~100%), (73%) lower undesirable (5% CO, 2% CH4 0% C6H6) 575 °C. In addition, deactivation due coke deposition sinterization clearly for synthesized PP. Characterization physicochemical techniques (XRD, TEM, BET surface area, ICP-OES, TPR EA) showed that obtain sepiolite-based containing larger external area smaller, highly dispersed easily reducible metal particles. The results here discussed show clear influence preparation supported improved performance steam toluene.