A Comparison of Steam Reforming of Two Model Bio-Oil Fractions

Two model bio‐oil fractions were chosen as two different major classes of components present in bio‐oil. Steam reforming of the two fractions was carried out to investigate the gas product distributions and carbon deposition behavior. Higher H2 yield and carbon conversion to the gaseous phase can be obtained at relatively low temperature (650 °C) for steam reforming of the light fraction. For steam reforming of the heavy fraction, a higher temperature (800 °C) is necessary to obtain higher H2 yield and carbon conversion to the gaseous phase. At 800 °C, the heavy fraction requires a higher steam to carbon ratio (10) than that for the light fraction (7) to achieve efficient steam reforming. Based on the same carbon space velocity, for 10 h stream time, the drop of H2 yield and carbon conversion to the gaseous phase in the steam reforming of the heavy fraction is more rapid than that of the light fraction. Carbon deposition in the steam reforming of the heavy fraction is much more severe than that of the light fraction, as determined by carbon content analysis and SEM detection. Bio‐oil produced by fast pyrolysis of biomass represents a type of high‐energy density fuel. The steam reforming of two model bio‐oil fractions is carried out to investigate the gas product distributions and carbon deposition behavior of light and heavy fractions. Carbon deposition in the steam reforming of the heavy fraction is seen to be much more severe than for the light fraction.