Bio-oil alternatively known as biocrude oil is a mixture of complex hydrocarbons with large amount of water and oxygen. This oil is a liquid fuel made from biomass materials such as agricultural crops, algae, municipal wastes and forestry by-products using thermo-chemical processes. Depleting non-renewable energy sources combined with stringent environmental norms compel researchers and scientists to look for some alternative sources of energy. Various processes such as biomass catalytic pyrolysis, steam reforming of bio-oil including biomass steam gasification are being investigated for the production of hydrogen, which is a kind of gas that is one of the most promising alternatives of energy source. The energy density of this gas is found to be greater in comparison to other existing fuels. This energy yield of this fuel is more than other hydrocarbon fuels. The use of hydrogen as fuel, particularly in high-efficiency systems like fuel cells, and its application in the transportation industry is currently of great interest. Catalytic steam reforming of naphtha obtained from natural gas and petroleum as well as partial oxidation of heavy oils are the two main methods for producing hydrogen. All of these processes involve fossil fuels, which have associated environmental issues such an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide. Due to its nearly negligible net impact, renewable biomass is a desirable and efficient replacement for fossil feedstocks. Unfortunately, hydrogen content in biomass is only 6–6.5%, compared to almost 25% in natural gas. For this reason, on a cost basis, producing hydrogen by a direct conversion process such as the biomass gasification/water-gas shift cannot compete with the well-developed technology for steam reforming of natural gas. To meet future energy demands, hydrogen needs to be produced using sustainable energy sources. Steam reforming of bio-oil employing suitable active catalyst is a promising route for sustainable hydrogen production. The proposed chapter will summarize recent work done in the area of hydrogen generation using steam reforming of bio-oil and the influence of operating parameters such as temperature, S/C ratio and type of catalysts used and other existing and new processes. Various catalytic systems with Ni, Pt and Ru on different supports will be investigated and incorporated. The prospects and challenges of the technologies as well as research focus in the steam reforming of bio-oil derivatives and other processes will also be highlighted.

Bio-oil: A Promising Energy Source for Future Hydrogen Production

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发表日期：

2025年

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Prerna Tripathi,
Abhay Kumar Choubey

摘要

Bio-oil alternatively known as biocrude oil is a mixture of complex hydrocarbons with large amount of water and oxygen. This oil is a liquid fuel made from biomass materials such as agricultural crops, algae, municipal wastes and forestry by-products using thermo-chemical processes. Depleting non-renewable energy sources combined with stringent environmental norms compel researchers and scientists to look for some alternative sources of energy. Various processes such as biomass catalytic pyrolysis, steam reforming of bio-oil including biomass steam gasification are being investigated for the production of hydrogen, which is a kind of gas that is one of the most promising alternatives of energy source. The energy density of this gas is found to be greater in comparison to other existing fuels. This energy yield of this fuel is more than other hydrocarbon fuels. The use of hydrogen as fuel, particularly in high-efficiency systems like fuel cells, and its application in the transportation industry is currently of great interest. Catalytic steam reforming of naphtha obtained from natural gas and petroleum as well as partial oxidation of heavy oils are the two main methods for producing hydrogen. All of these processes involve fossil fuels, which have associated environmental issues such an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide. Due to its nearly negligible net impact, renewable biomass is a desirable and efficient replacement for fossil feedstocks. Unfortunately, hydrogen content in biomass is only 6–6.5%, compared to almost 25% in natural gas. For this reason, on a cost basis, producing hydrogen by a direct conversion process such as the biomass gasification/water-gas shift cannot compete with the well-developed technology for steam reforming of natural gas. To meet future energy demands, hydrogen needs to be produced using sustainable energy sources. Steam reforming of bio-oil employing suitable active catalyst is a promising route for sustainable hydrogen production. The proposed chapter will summarize recent work done in the area of hydrogen generation using steam reforming of bio-oil and the influence of operating parameters such as temperature, S/C ratio and type of catalysts used and other existing and new processes. Various catalytic systems with Ni, Pt and Ru on different supports will be investigated and incorporated. The prospects and challenges of the technologies as well as research focus in the steam reforming of bio-oil derivatives and other processes will also be highlighted.