Hydrogen production from light bio-oil: Effect of bio-oil separation processes on catalytic steam reforming

The complex composition of bio-oil hinders its efficient conversion to hydrogen. This study investigates the effects of three separation methods (fractional condensation, water extraction, and molecular distillation) on bio-oil composition and subsequent reforming performance. These methods not only achieve separation but also upgrade bio-oil by enriching active components (such as acids, ketones) and removing coke precursors (such as sugars). Molecular distillation yielded light bio-oil with the highest ketone content (28.80 %) and no sugars, exhibiting optimal reforming performance: 93.42 % hydrogen yield and 94.86 % carbon conversion at 700 °C, with a catalyst lifespan of 600 min. The results demonstrate that suitable separation can enhance hydrogen production by optimizing composition and mitigating deactivation. This study proposes a new approach to promoting the efficient utilization of biomass and the production of green hydrogen from renewable resources.