Catalyst development for the cellulose gasification and optimization of the operation variables

Biomass gasification to synthesis gas is the most promising approach to share renewable energy compared with its use as a combustion fuel. The performance of Rh catalyst on various supports was studied for cellulose gasification in batch-feeding and fluidized-bed reactor at 823 K. In the non-catalytic reaction, the C conversion was only 53%, which was increased by the presence of CeO₂, ZrO₂, TiO₂, or MgO support materials on the bed. However, the synthesis gas formation increased only by the presence of CeO₂. Only Rh/CeO₂ promoted the conversion as well as the formation of CO and H₂. The loading of rhodium on other support caused lower C conversion and higher methane formation that ultimately decreased the amounts of CO and H₂. The promoting effect of metals supported on CeO₂ is as follows: Rh > Ru > Pt ≈ Pd > Ni. The C conversion increased with increasing reaction temperature and became 100% at 823K. The amounts of H₂ and CO increased remarkably, however, the amount of CH₄ increased slightly with increasing temperature. The amount of CO₂ decreased with increasing temperature. Total carbon conversion was achieved above 823 K when ≤ 50 mg cellulose was used in a batch reactor on Rh/CeO₂ catalyst of Rh loading 1.2 × 10 mol/g of catalyst.