Autothermal Reforming of Acetic Acid

The autothermal reforming (ATR) of acetic acid (as a model compound for pyrolysis oil) is studied using the BASF dual layer monolith catalyst. One of the objectives of this study is to investigate the performance of the washcoated monolith for syngas (i.e. H2/CO mixture) production. The syngas will subsequently be converted to the desired transportation biofuel via Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. Operating the ATR system economically and efficiently requires balancing the exothermic partial oxidation and endothermic reforming reactions in the catalytic ATR system. Therefore, the effects of processing parameters such as steam-to-carbon (H2O/C) ratio, oxygen-to-carbon (O2/C) ratio, the gas hourly space velocity, and the reaction temperature on the reactor performance will be investigated. The optimum flow and operating conditions to obtain the desired conversion of acetic acid, yields of H2, selectivity to H2 and CO, minimal coke formation, and near-adiabatic ATR system are also determined.