On the Efficacy of Ru/Al2O3Catalyst for Steam Reforming of Ethylene Glycol

This work describes hydrogen (H2) production via steam reforming of ethylene glycol (EG) over a supported ruthenium catalyst. EG is chosen as a model compound for the alcohols contained in the aqueous phase of bio-oil. Using a fixed-bed reactor, experimental runs are carried out over Ru/Al2O3 at various temperatures (350–500°C), ratios of the mass of the catalyst (W) to the molar flow rate (FO) of EG at the inlet (W/FO = 0.37 − 2.38 g h/mol), and feed concentrations (22.3–53.4 wt.% EG in water). The role of Ru in conversion of EG, production of H2, and product distribution of the carbonaceous species is studied. Reaction pathways previously described in the literature are used to elucidate our results.