Hydrogen production from steam reforming of woody biomass with cobalt catalyst

Catalytic steam reforming of woody biomass was carried out with metal oxide supported Co catalysts. These catalysts were prepared by impregnation of Co²⁺ into SiO₂, Y₂O₃ and CeO₂ powder and sol-gel method for Co/MgO. Their catalytic activities were examined as hydrogen formation from steam reforming of woody biomass with as functions of reaction temperature. As the results, the highest amount of H₂ formation shows Co/MgO at 973K while Co/SiO₂ has maximum activity at 873K. This is because of activation of MgO basic site due to CO₂ desorption from the active site. We suggest that the basicity of metal oxide supports affect the rate of steam reforming of tar rather than that of thermal decomposition of anhydrous cellulose.