Several authors have tried to modify nickel catalysts by
using promoters to minimize the formation of coke. Dou et al.
[36] conducted a study based in five catalysts, being zeolite-Y
and NiMo catalysts the most effective, reaching 100% conversion
at 550 C. In their experiments detected small
amounts of coke after 168 h reaction.
Taking into consideration biogas reforming and tar
removal in sewage gasification processes, the catalytic
systems studied in literature and the causes of catalyst
deactivation were similar, this is the reason why in this
paper we propose a single catalyst for both processes to
overcome coke deposition problems maximising hydrocarbon
conversion.
The aim of this work is to study the catalytic activity
and stability of a new NieCo bimetallic catalyst applied
to biogas conversion and tar removal, processes integrated in
sewage treatment plants for energy recovery by
hydrogen production. Post-reaction samples analysis by
means of TPO, XPS and SEM are the characterisation techniques
used to support the results obtained in reaction
conditions.