Photo-electrochemical hydrogen generation from water using solar energy. Materials-related aspects

Hydrogen is considered to be the most viable energy carrier for the future. Producing hydrogen from ethanol steam reforming would not only be environmentally friendly but also would open new opportunities for utilization of renewable resources, which are globally available. This paper reviews the current state of the steam reforming process of ethanol, examines different catalysts, and, finally, makes a comparative analysis. Different catalysts have been used for the steam reforming of ethanol. Depending on the type of catalysts, reaction conditions, and the catalyst preparation method, ethanol conversion and hydrogen production vary greatly. It was observed that Co/ZnO, ZnO, Rh/Al2O3, Rh/CeO2, and Ni/La2O3−Al2O3 performed the best, in regard to the steam reforming of ethanol. Currently, hydrogen production from ethanol steam reforming is still in the research and development stage.

Current status of hydrogen production techniques by steam reforming of ethanol : A review

Fuel processing for low-temperature and high-temperature fuel cells: Challenges, and opportunities for sustainable development in the 21st century

A review on reforming bio-ethanol for hydrogen production

Hydrogen production reactions from carbon feedstocks: fossil fuels and biomass.

H2 production for MC fuel cell by steam reforming of ethanol over MgO supported Pd, Rh, Ni and Co catalysts

The steam reforming of ethanol on 5% Rh/Al2O3 catalyst has been investigated to produce H2 adequate to feed a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC). The influence of reaction temperature, H2O/EtOH molar ratio, gas hourly space velocities (GHSV) and O2 were investigated in order to maximize the hydrogen content at the outlet of ethanol reformer. Endurance tests to assess the feasibility of a FC system fed by simulated bio-EtOH stream (H2O/EtOH molar ratio=8.4) were also performed. Experiments carried out at MCFC operative conditions allowed to obtain a H2 reach mixture close to 60% on dry basis. In steam reforming (SR) conditions an extensive formation of encapsulated carbon was registered while a great benefits, both in terms of catalyst stability and coke formation were evidenced adding 0.4 vol.% of oxygen in the reaction stream. Oxygen however promoted metal sintering. Consideration on reaction mechanism, mainly investigated to distinguish the reaction pathway influencing the H2 production, is reported.

Performance of Rh/Al2O3 catalyst in the steam reforming of ethanol: H2 production for MCFC

The effects of alkali addition (e.g. Li, Na, K) on the behavior of Ni/MgO catalyst in the bio-ethanol steam reforming have been investigated. Li and Na promote the NiO reduction but negatively affect the dispersion of the Ni/MgO catalyst, whereas K does not significantly affect either morphology or dispersion. Li and K enhance the stability of Ni/MgO mainly by depressing Ni sintering. Coke formation on bare and doped catalysts occurs but with orders of magnitude lower rates than those claimed for Ni supported on an acidic carrier. The peculiar influence of the mean Ni particle size on the turnover frequency (TOF s −1 ) has been explained by invoking a structure-sensitive character of the ethanol dehydrogenation reaction considered as being the first step of the reaction which evolves according to the following mechanism: ethanol hydrogenation → acetaldehyde decomposition → steam reforming of methane and water gas shift reactions.

Stefano Cavallaro

Papers

H2 production for MC fuel cell by steam reforming of ethanol over MgO supported Pd, Rh, Ni and Co catalysts

Performance of Rh/Al2O3 catalyst in the steam reforming of ethanol: H2 production for MCFC

Steam reforming of bio-ethanol on alkali-doped Ni/MgO catalysts: hydrogen production for MC fuel cell

Hydrogen production from methane through catalytic partial oxidation reactions

Production of hydrogen for MC fuel cell by steam reforming of ethanol over MgO supported Ni and Co catalysts