Enhanced ethanol steam reforming by CO2 absorption using CaO, CaO*MgO or Na2ZrO3

• Thermodynamic analysis & experimental H2 production by steam reforming of ethanol.
• Enhanced steam reforming of ethanol using a solid CO2 absorbent.
• Evaluation of Na2ZrO3 synthetic absorbent combined with ethanol steam reforming.

This paper presents results of thermodynamic analysis and experimental evaluation of hydrogen production by steam reforming of ethanol (SRE) combined with CO2 absorption using a mixture of a solid absorbent (CaO, CaO*MgO and Na2ZrO3) and a Ni/Al2O3 catalyst. Thermodynamic analysis results indicate that a maximum of 69.5% H2 (dry basis) is feasible at 1 atm, H2O/C2H5OH = 6 (molar ratio) and T = 600 °C. whereas, the addition of a CO2 absorbent at 1 atm, T = 600 °C and H2O/C2H5OH/Absorbent = 6:1:2.5, produced a H2 concentration of 96.6, 94.1, and 92.2% using CaO, CaO*MgO, and Na2ZrO3, respectively. SRE experimental evaluation achieved a maximum of 60% H2. While combining SRE and a CO2 absorbent exhibited a concentration of 96, 94, and 90% employing CaO, CaO*MgO, and Na2ZrO3, respectively at 1 atm, T = 600 °C, SV = 414 h−1 and H2O/C2H5OH/absorbent = 6:1:2.5 (molar ratio).

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