Catalytic Steam Reforming of Toluene as Model Tar Compound of Biomass Gasification over Cu/Ni/Olivine

Bimetallic Cu/Ni/olivine catalysts with various Cu/Ni mass ratios were prepared for steam reforming of toluene as model tar compound. The effects of the Cu/Ni ratio, the reaction temperature, and the steam-to-carbon ratio (S/C) on the steam reforming of toluene were investigated in a fixed-bed reactor. Among the catalysts, olivine coated with 3 wt % CuO and 12 wt % NiO (Cu3/Ni12/O) achieved higher catalytic performance and structural stability due to the synergistic effect of Ni and Cu. The appropriate S/C and a higher temperature were beneficial to steam reforming of toluene. The catalytic performance was not only affected by the amount but also by the types of carbon deposition. Compared with the amorphous carbon, the larger amount of graphitic carbon formed on the catalyst surface was more likely to lead to a decreased catalytic performance.