Refuse-derived Fuel Based Cobalt Catalysts for Hydrogen Production

Abstract

Refuse-derived fuel (RDF) is a mixed industrial waste, which often contains combustible materials (cellulose, polymers, rubber, biomass, etc.). The RDF waste precursor is subjected to thermo-oxidation treatment at 300℃, followed by carbonizations at 600℃, and high temperature hydropyrolysis at 800℃. The obtained nanoporous carbon material was subjected to detailed characterization by low temperature nitrogen sorption, elemental analysis, etc. Carbon derived from RDF is distinguished by micro/mesoporous texture and moderately high surface area (650 m² g^-1). The catalyst obtained is tested in the process of methanol decomposition, leading to production of hydrogen as a fuel. The influence of the physico-chemical characteristics of the synthesized carbon on the catalytic activity of carbon-based cobalt catalyst is studied.