Steam reforming of ethanol by non-noble metal catalysts.

Catalytic steam reforming of ethanol (CSRE) is an attractive mode of producing hydrogen as an environmentally-friendly energy carrier. Ethanol can be produced from first-generation fermenting of cheap carbohydrates (e.g. non-food cassava and agricultural residues), and second-generation fermenting of biomass. The catalytic conversion of ethanol requires an appropriate catalyst, operating temperature, and reaction time. Supported noble metal catalysts were previously used. The present work uses novel non-noble catalysts. The most efficient catalysts were impregnated in α-Al 2 O 3 and fully characterized. The catalytic experiments were conducted between 500 °C and 600 °C in either electrically-heated fixed bed reactors, or in a solar-heated fluidized bed reactor. The main reaction products were H 2 (approximately 5.5 mol H 2 /mol ethanol), CO, CO 2 and CH 4. Deactivation of the Co/α-Al 2 O 3 catalyst was not observed. Negligible amounts of acetone and acetaldehyde were detected. A maximum hydrogen yield of over 95% was achieved. Pilot-scale investigations were started. [Display omitted] • New perspectives for renewable energy-based hydrogen production by catalytically converting bio-ethanol in the presence of steam (CSRE). • Test the most promising catalysts in isothermal electrically heated furnaces, and in a concentrated solar reactor. • Over 30 successive hours of CSRE were assessed with approximately 5.5 mol H 2 /mol ethanol produced. • Further scale-up with maximum heat recovery, H 2 upgrading, and H 2 use in a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) and a 1 kg/h H 2 pilot facility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]