Partial oxidation of tar into syngas over Rh-based catalysts

The performance of a Rh/LaCoO3/Al2O3 catalyst has been investigated in the conversion of tar produced during biomass devolatilization into syngas using a dual fixed bed reactor set-up suitably developed. The effect of the addition of different levels of oxygen to the reaction mixture containing tarry compounds on the catalytic activity has been studied at 700 oC evaluating both the quality of the syngas produced and the extent of coke deposition on the catalyst surface. A comparison of the catalytic performance with that of catalysts containing Rh or LaCoO3 only has been done as well as with that of a conventional Nibased sample. Coke deposition strongly decreases up to totally disappearing for 3000 ppm O2 for Rh/LaCoO3/Al2O3 catalyst coupled to an increase in gas yield and a limited H2 loss. H2 and CO oxidations are conversely promoted by LaCoO3/Al2O3 catalyst in the presence of O2.