Abstract: Four iron-bearing olivines (Mg,Fe)2SiO4 from different quarries of China have been evaluated for catalytic steam reforming of benzene. Several characterization techniques such as N2 adsorption, X-ray diffraction, temperature-programmed reduction, and scanning electron microscopy were used to explore the relationship between the catalytic behavior and the nature of the olivine. The most active olivine was the one with the largest surface area and the most reducible iron content.

Key words: biomass gasification, tar, olivine, steam reforming, nickel catalyst