Combustion and Reforming of Ethanol in a Chemical Looping Continuous Unit

Combustion and reforming tests based on Chemical Looping processes have been carried out in a continuously operated 1 kWth unit using a Ni-based oxygen carrier and ethanol as fuel. Regarding Chemical Looping Combustion conditions, almost 100% of combustion efficiency was obtained at low oxygen-to-carrier molar ratios (ϕ⩾2.2). Regarding Chemical Looping Reforming conditions, a H2 concentration over 60 vol.% in dry basis was obtained, which was similar to the composition given by the thermodynamic equilibrium. The reactivity of the oxygen-carrier was maintained high and constant during all the operation tests. The tests demonstrated that negative CO2 emissions can be reached, from both the combustion and the H2 production processes, based on chemical looping technologies if the ethanol used is obtained from renewable sources.