A novel nickel catalyst supported on activated steel slags for syngas production and tar removal from biomass pyrolysis

In this paper, a nickel-based steel slag catalyst prepared by wet impregnation was used to carry out a catalytic reforming experiment with the primary volatiles produced by pyrolysis of pine sawdust. The effects of nitric acid activation, acid-base activation, Fe promoter modification, and calcination/catalytic temperature on the catalytic performance were explored. A series of catalyst characterization methods were used to analyze the catalytic activity and coke deposition resistance. The analysis results showed that the 0.5M-Ni/SS-800 catalyst had the optimal catalytic effect. The tar conversion rate reached 97.61% and the gas yield was increased by 15.3%. The production of hydrogen was even increased by 20.23%. The elements such as Ni, Fe, Ca, and Mg in the catalyst had a synergistic catalytic effect and formed active centers such as Ni–Fe alloy, Ca₂Fe₂O_5, and MgFe₂O₄, which significantly improved the catalytic activity and coke deposition resistance.