On the Efficacy of Ru/Al2O3 Catalyst for Steam Reforming of Ethylene Glycol

This work describes hydrogen (H-2) production via steam reforming of ethylene glycol (EG) over a supported ruthenium catalyst. EG is chosen as a model compound for the alcohols contained in the aqueous phase of bio-oil. Using a fixed-bed reactor, experimental runs are carried out over Ru/Al2O3 at various temperatures (350-500 degrees C), ratios of the mass of the catalyst (W) to the molar flow rate (F-O) of EG at the inlet (W/F-O = 0.37 - 2.38 g h/mol), and feed concentrations (22.3-53.4 wt.% EG in water). The role of Ru in conversion of EG, production of H-2, and product distribution of the carbonaceous species is studied. Reaction pathways previously described in the literature are used to elucidate our results.