Low cost and renewable H2S-biofilter inoculated with Trichoderma harzianum.

The use of biogas to produce hydrogen is currently gaining more attention. One of the drawbacks for the valorization of biogas is the presence of H2S, a hazardous molecule that can cause damage in the metallic internal structures of industries. In this study, the H2S-removal performance of a fungi-based biofilter was investigated. First, an H2S-resistant fungal species was isolated from an industrial digestate and identified as Trichoderma harzianum. The capacity of this microorganism to metabolize H2S in a mineral medium was confirmed. Then, a bioreactor was constructed and put in place to monitor the elimination of gaseous H2S. A mix of cardboard, perlite, woodchips, and wood pellets was used as filling. Microbial development and the outlet gas composition were monitored during a 60-day experimental process during which H2S was completely removed. 97% of the introduced sulphur was detected in the used filling material (fungal species + packing material) by elemental analysis. 24% of the detected sulphur was identified by ion-exchange chromatography as SO42-. Elemental analysis, gas chromatography, and ion-exchange chromatography were used to determine the bioreactor sulphur balance. Metagenomic analysis underlined that H2S elimination was due to the presence of Trichoderma harzianum with a H2S-specific bacterial consortium.

Evaluation of a Catalyst Durability in Absence and Presence of Toluene Impurity: Case of the Material Co2Ni2Mg2Al2 Mixed Oxide Prepared by Hydrotalcite Route in Methane Dry Reforming to Produce Energy.

Ni, Co, Mg, and Al mixed-oxide solids, synthesized via the hydrotalcite route, were investigated in previous works toward the dry reforming of methane for hydrogen production. The oxide Co2Ni2Mg2Al2 calcined at 800 °C, Co2Ni2Mg2Al2800, showed the highest catalytic activity in the studied series, which was ascribable to an interaction between Ni and Co, which is optimal for this Co/Ni ratio. In the present study, Co2Ni2Mg2Al2800 was compared to a commercial catalyst widely used in the industry, Ni(50%)/Al2O3, and showed better activity despite its lower number of active sites, as well as lower amounts of carbon on its surface, i.e. less deactivation. In addition to this, Co2Ni2Mg2Al2800 showed stability for 20 h under stream during the dry reforming of methane. This good durability is attributed to a periodic cycle of carbon deposition and removal as well as to the strong interaction between Ni and Co, preventing the deactivation of the catalyst. The evaluation of the catalytic performances in the presence of toluene, which is an impurity that exists in biogas, is also a part of this work. In the presence of toluene, the catalytic activity of Co2Ni2Mg2Al2800 decreases, and higher carbon formation on the catalyst surface is detected. Toluene adsorption on catalytic sites, side reactions performed by toluene, and the competition between toluene and methane in the reaction with carbon dioxide are the main reasons for such results.

Steam reforming of ethanol for hydrogen production over Cu/Co-Mg-Al-based catalysts prepared by hydrotalcite route.

The performances of different 5Cu/CoxMg6-xAl2 (x = 0; 2; 4; 6) catalysts prepared by the wet impregnation method were investigated in the ethanol steam-reforming reaction (ESR) at 450 °C during 4 h under a steam/ethanol ratio of 3 (S/E = 3). The best catalyst among the prepared solids was 5Cu/Co6Al2 as it showed a complete ethanol conversion and the highest hydrogen and carbon dioxide productivities. However, following 50 h of aging, the catalyst deactivated due to the formation of a high amount of carbonaceous products detected by differential scanning calorimetry/thermogravimetry. On the other hand, the 5Cu/Co2Mg4Al2 catalyst showed a much lower quantity of coke deposition with no deactivation due to the basic character conferred by the magnesium oxide phase.

Detection of adsorbed O2- species on CeO2 solid impregnated with Ag2+ ions during its thermal treatment under a H2 atmosphere, an EPR study.

10% Ag/CeO2 solid was prepared by the impregnation method. When the solid is calcined at 400 °C, three types of Ag2+ species are formed. One of them is more thermally stable compared to the others. The adsorption on the solid of O2 or H2 molecules gives an adsorbed O2- species on the surface, detected by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). The mobility of oxygen in CeO2 and the nature of cations loaded on this support can be the origin of the adsorbed O2- species particularly when the solid is treated under H2 molecules.

Influence of the presence of ruthenium on the activity and stability of Co-Mg-Al-based catalysts in CO2 reforming of methane for syngas production.

Hydrogen production by methane dry reforming is an important yet challenging process. A performing catalyst will favor the thermodynamic equilibrium while ensuring good hydrogen selectivity. We hereby report the synthesis of Co x Mg6-x Al2 (with x = 2 and 6) mixed oxide catalysts synthesized via hydrotalcite precursors and the synthesis of a ruthenium-based catalyst on a cobalt, magnesium, and aluminum mixed oxide supports Ru/Co x Mg6-x Al2 (with x = 2 and 6). The impregnation of ruthenium on the hydrotalcites was performed in two ways: by impregnation on the dried hydrotalcite and by memory effect on hydrotalcite calcined at 500 °C. The deposition of ruthenium by memory effect of the magnesium and cobalt support allows the generation of both metallic and basic sites which provides an active and stable catalyst for the dry reforming reaction of methane.