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-Al2O3 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 H2 (approximately 5.5 mol H2/mol ethanol), CO, CO2 and CH4. Deactivation of the Co/α-Al2O3 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.