Comparative analysis on sorption enhanced steam reforming and conventional steam reforming of hydroxyacetone for hydrogen production: Thermodynamic modeling

•Sorption enhanced and conventional steam reforming of hydroxyacetone was contrasted.•The optimum temperature for SESR was about 125 °C lower than that for SR.•Optimum SESR conditions were 500–550 °C, WHMR of 8 and CAMR of 6.•Carbon formation was almost completely inhibited in 200–1200 °C for WHMR ≥ 3 in SESR.

The chemical thermodynamics of sorption enhanced steam reforming (SESR) of hydroxyacetone for hydrogen production were investigated and contrasted with hydroxyacetone steam reforming (SR) by means of Gibbs free energy minimization principle and response reactions (RERs) method. Hydrogen is mainly derived methane steam reforming reaction from and water gas shift reaction. The former reaction contributes more than the latter one to hydrogen production below 550 °C and at higher temperature the latter one tends to dominate. The maximum hydrogen concentration is 70% in SR, which is far below hydrogen purities required by fuel cells. In SESR, hydrogen purities are over 99% in 525–550 °C with a WHMR greater than 8 and a CHMR of 6. The optimum temperature for SESR is approximately 125 °C lower than that for SR. In comparison with SR, SESR has the advantage of almost complete inhibition of coke formation in 200–1200 °C for WHMR ≥ 3.