PRODUCTION OF HYDROGEN FROM ETHANOL STEAM REFORMING MODELING AND SIMULATION STUDIES

Abstract

A one-dimensional isothermal model for steam reforming of ethanol over 15 wt% Co/A1203 catalyst using a porous y - A1203 membrane reactor has been developed and simulated for hydrogen production. Three reactor configurations have been considered: conventional fixed bed reactor (FBR), full length membrane reactor (MR) and hybrid reactor (HR). The reactor performance has been studied in terms of ethanol conversion, yield and selectivity of hydrogen. The observed conversions are ranked in the order: MR > HR > FBR. A thermodynamic analysis has been carried out, deducing that all the reactions are feasible above 470 K. The effect of feed gas molar ratio has also been investigated in terms of ethanol conversion and it was concluded that the molar ratio of 3:1 is the optimum. The effect of sweep gas molar flow rate was investigated and it was found that it could not affect the reactor performance appreciably.