Biogas reforming for hydrogen production: Performance of Ni/La-Ce-O catalysts

Biogas, a renewable source of CH4 and CO2, is used for hydrogen generation by trireforming reaction; the reaction is a combination of CO2 reforming, steam reforming and partial oxidation of CH4 in a single catalytic step. Several Ni/La-Ce-O mixed oxides, prepared by combustion synthesis, were used as catalysts. The experimental tests, carried out with synthetic biogas at 800°C with a gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) of 30000 h-1, were aimed to study the influence of different parameters (amount of La doping, Ni load and feed composition) on the catalysts activity and stability. The synergic effect of nickel-lanthana-surface oxygen vacancies of ceria influences the samples activity.