Synthetic olivine supported nickel catalysts for gasification of glycerol

Olivine and olivine-supported nickel catalysts were synthesized and tested to study their potential to be used as active in-bed materials for steam reforming/gasification of glycerol waste. Olivine was synthesized by a co-precipitation method followed by wet impregnation of nickel. Ni/olivine calcined at 800 °C and then reduced at 700 °C exhibited a desirable phase with the highest surface area and nickel content. Both olivine and Ni/olivine displayed excellent stability and high reactivity when applied to in-situ gasification/reforming of glycerol waste. Satisfactory conversion of carbon and hydrogen from waste material to product gas, high product heating values, and good cold gas efficiency, as well as superior selectivity of preferred gas species may be achieved with this catalyst at 800 °C while acceptable conversion can be attained at lower temperatures.