Ni catalysts were prepared by wet impregnation of three different supports: alumina, niobia and 10 wt.% niobia/alumina, prepared by (co)precipitation. The catalysts were evaluated on steam reforming of glycerol at 500 degrees C, for 30 h. The catalyst supported on Nb2PO5/Al2O3 presented the best performance, with higher conversion into gas (80%) during all reaction time and hydrogen yield of 50%. Alumina supported catalyst showed higher deactivation and lower hydrogen yield. All catalysts showed coke formation, but it was formed in larger amount on the catalysts supported on single oxides. A depth study was conducted to evaluate the effect of reaction variables as space velocity, glycerol concentration in feed and temperature on the catalytic performance of the Nb2O5/Al2O3 catalyst. Kinetic study was also performed for this catalyst using two different approaches, obtaining glycerol and steam orders, as well as the apparent activation energy. (C) 2018 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.