Experimental studies and mathematical modeling of the catalytic conversion of biodiesel fuel into synthesis gas

In this work, steam reforming and autothermal reforming of methyl oleate (a model compound of biodiesel fuel) into synthesis gas on a structured Rh-containing catalyst were investigated. It has been shown that the conversion of methyl oleate proceeds through the stage of thermal cracking followed by the conversion of the resulting organic compounds with a shorter carbon skeleton. Based on the experimental results, a mathematical model was developed that takes into account the radial temperature gradient and represents an effective tool for quantitatively describing and optimizing the biodiesel conversion process.