Paper-structured catalyst for the steam reforming of biodiesel fuel

Architectonics of the paper-structured catalyst for the application to the biofuel reformer or direct internal reforming SOFC (DIRSOFC) was studied. Inorganic fiber network, “paper”, composed of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) fiber (Zf), alumina fiber (Af) and inorganic binder (Al2O3 sol (As) or ZrO2 sol (Zs) or CeO2 sol (Cs)) was prepared by a simple paper-making process. Then, the catalytic activities of the Ni and Ni–MgO loaded papers called “paper-structured catalysts (PSCs)” for the steam reforming of biodiesel fuels (BDFs) were evaluated. Ni–MgO loaded PSC using Cs as an inorganic binder, Ni–MgO/ZfAfCs, exhibited excellent performance over Ru/γAl2O3 catalyst beads. Formation of light hydrocarbons, especially C2H4, was eliminated and water–gas shift reaction was more promoted compared to the catalyst beads.