The production of hydrogen by reforming of methanol in supercritical water was studied in continuous flow apparatus made of nickel base alloys. Experiments were performed at pressures from 25 to 45 MPa, temperatures in the range of 400 to above 600 degrees C and residence times from few seconds up to few minutes. The feed concentration varied from 5 to 64 wt.% methanol. The main component of the product gas is H-2, carbon is converted to CO2, CO, and CH4. Methanol conversion is up to 99.9% without addition of a catalyst. Oxidation of the reactor inner surface before gasification turned out to enhance the reaction rate and to lower the carbon monoxide concentration. Obviously, the heavy metals of the inner surface of the reactors catalyze the reaction. Pilot-plant tests ( with a flow rate of 100 kg/h) confirm the laboratory experiments and give data for the energy balance of the process.

The production of hydrogen and methane by reaction of organic matter using hydrothermal gasification is feasible for feedstock with high moisture content. Wastes from the agricultural sector can be used, e.g. grape residue, rests of plants or sewage sludge. Typical reaction conditions are temperatures of about 600 °C and a pressure of 30 MPa. By cooling, the product gas phase separates from the liquid effluent which will contain the inorganic compounds and a low quantity of residual organic matter.

The production of hydrogen by the reforming of methanol was studied in a continuously operated tubular reactor made of the nickel-based alloy Inconel 625. Experiments were performed at pressures from 25 to 45 MPa and temperatures in the range of 400−600 °C. The concentration of the aqueous feed varied from 5 to 64 wt % methanol. Residence times under reaction temperature conditions varied in the range from 3 to 100 s. The main component of the product gas is hydrogen, with smaller amounts of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and methane. Methanol conversion is up to 99.9% without addition of a catalyst. Obviously, the heavy metals on the inner surface of the reactor influence the composition of the product gas and the conversion rate. Oxidation of the reactor inner surface before gasification turned out to enhance the reaction rate and to decrease the carbon monoxide concentration.