Thermodynamic study of the supercritical water reforming of glycerol

Hydrogen can be produced by steam reforming, partial oxidation, autothermal, or aqueous-phase reforming processes using various noble metal based catalysts, but also by supercritical water (SCW) reforming. Using AspenPlus™, a systematic thermodynamic analysis of glycerol reforming using supercritical water has been carried out by the total Gibbs free energy minimization method, which computes the equilibrium composition of synthesis gas (syngas). The predictive Soave–Redlich–Kwong equation of state (EOS) has been used as thermodynamic method in the simulation of the supercritical region, after evaluating it against other EOS methods. A sensitivity analysis has been conducted on supercritical water reforming of pure and pretreated crude glycerol, as obtained from biodiesel production. The effect of the main operating parameters (temperature, concentration of glycerol feed, glycerol purity in the feed of crude glycerol, and pressure) aimed to the hydrogen production has been investigated in the reforming process, by obtaining the mole fraction and molar flow-rate of components in syngas, as well as the hydrogen yield. Selectivity to the different compounds has been also calculated. By this way, the thermodynamic favorable operating conditions at which glycerol may be converted into hydrogen by SCW reforming have been identified. The simulation results agree well with some few experimental data from the literature. This study is the first of a series addressed to glycerol reforming using SCW.

► Hydrogen can be produced by supercritical water (SCW) reforming. ► One of the foreseeable features is that the catalyst will not be strictly necessary. ► A systematic thermodynamic analysis of glycerol reforming using SCW has been carried out. ► A sensitivity analysis has been conducted on SCW reforming of pure and pretreated crude glycerol. ► The thermodynamic favorable operating conditions for obtaining hydrogen were identified.