Sustainable H2 generation via steam reforming of biogas in membrane reactors: H2S effects on membrane performance and catalytic activity

International audienceThis study proposes as first time the steam reforming of a synthetic biogas stream containing 200 ppm of H2S, carried out in a non-commercial supported Pd-Au/Al2O3 membrane (7-8 m of selective layer) reactor at 823 K and 150 kPa over a non-commercial Rh(1%)/MgAl2O4/Al2O catalyst, recovering almost 80% of the total hydrogen produced during the reaction and showing a good resistance to the H2S contamination as confirmed by stable methane conversions for around 400 h under operation. For comparison, the same reaction was carried out in a commercial self-supported Pd-Ag membrane (150 m of wall thickness) yielding a hydrogen recovery equal to 40% at 623 K and 200 kPa and presenting stable methane conversions for less than 200 h under operation due to the effect of the H2S contamination