Prof. Juha Lehtonen 12.4.2013

BIO-H2 projectProf. Juha Lehtonen12.4.2013

Objectives• Develop new process concepts to replace fossil basedhydrogen with bio-based• Thermo-chemical methods, e.g. catalytic reforming ofbiocomponents• Reforming of alcohols produced by fermentation (butanol) or present in theaqueous phase of pyrolysis bio-oils• Three different techniques investigated• Steam reforming• Autothermal reforming• Aqueous phase reforming• Catalyst development• Metal nanoparticle catalysts by novel methods on different supports, e.g. zirconia• Support optimizationDepartment of Biotechnology and Chemical Technology12.4.20132

Planned Research Paths• Paths 1 - 4: steam and autothermal reforming• Path 1: Reaction and coking pathways• Path 2: Contaminants of butanol• Path 3: Support optimization• Path 4: Metal nanoparticle optimization• Path 5: aqueous phase reformingDepartment of Biotechnology and Chemical Technology12.4.20134

Butanol reforming -Conversion at 700 ºCDepartment of Biotechnology and Chemical Technology12.4.20135

Conclusions and observations so far• Autothermal conditions increase catalyst stability• No hydrogen production without active metal (Rh) onzirconia• Deactivation has only limited effects on H 2 selectivity• N-butyraldehyde and 1-butene as main intermediates in thereaction network and also as main precursors for cokeformationDepartment of Biotechnology and Chemical Technology12.4.20136

Utilization of the results• Process industry• Revamp of existing hydrogen plants or new plants based onreforming of biocomponents• For the hydrogen based upgrading of fossil or bio-based feedstockto liquid biofuels• E.g. Hydrodeoxygenation of lignocellulosic biomass (lignin or sugarderivatives)• Way to improve the GHG balance of biofuels• Direct use of hydrogen as biofuelDepartment of Biotechnology and Chemical Technology12.4.20137