Catalytic CO2 reforming of biomass tar on palygorskite-supported nickel catalysts using toluene as a model compound of biomass tar was investigated. The experiments were performed in a bench scale installation a fixed bed reactor. All experiments were carried out at 650, 750, 800 degrees C and atmospheric pressure. The effect of Ni loading, reaction temperature and concentration of CO2 on H-2 yield and carbon deposit was investigated. Ni/Palygorskite (Ni/PG) catalysts with Ni/PG ratios of 0%, 2%, 5% and 8% were tested, the last two show the best performance. H-2 yield and carbon deposit diminished with the increase of reaction temperature, Ni loading, and CO2 concentration. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.