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Thermodynamic analysis of hydrogen production from propanol reforming reactions, by decomposition and steam reforming, in presence of hydrazine was evaluated as a function of temperature (300-900 K) at a constant pressure of 1 atm. The molar ratio of reactants were varied to identify the conditions leading to hydrogen rich product stream with low carbon formation. Steam reforming of propanol displayed higher hydrogen production and a gradual decrease in carbon content with an increase in the steam/propanol ratio. Addition of hydrazine leads to a further enhancement in hydrogen amount along with a suppression in coking. A similar trend was observed in case of propanol decomposition reaction. Addition of hydrazine leads to a favorable condition for hydrogen production along with a decrease in carbon formation. In both, steam reforming and decomposition, methane and water seem to be the stable products at low temperature, which react together at elevated temperatures following steam reforming of methane to generate CO and hydrogen. Hydrazine, on the other hand diminishes carbon at low temperature and produces ammonia, which decomposes at higher temperature to generate hydrogen and nitrogen. It is clear that steam assists in eliminating carbon at higher temperature whereas hydrazine is helpful in removing carbon formation at lower temperature. Also, a considerably high ratio of H2/CO can be maintained in both the reactions, propanol steam reforming and propanol decomposition, by introducing a hydrazine stream in the feed. This publication was made possible by NPRP Grant (NPRP8-509-2-209) from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar foundation). The statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the author(s). Scopus

Cobalt nanoparticles synthesized via solution combustion synthesis were used to study the decomposition mechanism of ethanol for hydrogen production. Thermodynamic studies were conducted on the synthesis of cobalt nanoparticles using cobalt nitrate as a metal precursor in presence of different reducing agents; hydrazine, glycine, urea and citric acid. Thermodynamic results along with experimental characterizations show that the type and amount of fuel influence the adiabatic combustion temperature and the gases released during synthesis process affecting nanoparticle size, porosity and microstructure. The synthesized nanoparticles were activated by passing H2 at 300 °C inside the reaction chamber before being used for studying the reaction pathway of catalytic dehydrogenation of ethanol. These studies indicate that cobalt catalyst is selective for aldehyde and acetate species along with the formation of H2, H2O and CO2. Production of methane was also observed on cobalt surface at 400 °C. The spent catalyst nanoparticles were characterized after the reaction using XRD, SEM and TEM to analyze the particle size and its morphology. Results indicate a growth in particle size due to sintering, and carbon formation on the catalyst surface due to coking during ethanol dehydrogenation reaction. This publication was made possible by NPRP grant (NPRP8-145-2-066) from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar foundation). The statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the author(s). The authors also wish to acknowledge the technical services granted by Central Laboratory Unit (CLU) and Gas Processing Centre (GPC) at Qatar University. Scopus