On-Site Generation of Hydrogen from Ethanol

Supercritical water is a synergistic, non-catalytic media for the reformation of crude ethanol feedstocks into hydrogen. The kinetics of the supercritical water reformation of ethanol was experimentally studied in a tubular reactor made of Inconel 625 alloy. The high enthalpy level of supercritical water and the extraordinary solubility of reaction components in supercritical water allow the reformation reaction to proceed without the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst. The principal reactions are pyrolytic decomposition and reformation of ethanol, which are competing in nature. The products of both reactions are quite similar yielding both hydrogen and carbon oxides, except that the former reaction also generates methane which undergoes further reformation in the supercritical water medium. The competitive nature of the reformation and pyrolytic decomposition reactions along with the water gas shift reaction in the supercritical reformation process was elucidated from a mechanistic standpoint. Kinetic rate information as well as the optimal process operating conditions were obtained for the supercritical water reformation process.

• Record URL:
  • http://utc.mst.edu/documents/R170_Lee_CR.pdf
• 
• Record URL:
  • https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/16357
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This research was funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation, University Transportation Centers Program.
• Corporate Authors:

  Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla

  Center for Infrastructure Engineering Studies
  Rolla, MO  United States  65409

  Research and Special Programs Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Lee, S
  • Raper, J
  • Ludlow, D
  • Henthorn, K
• Publication Date: 2008-1

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 17p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternate fuels; Composite materials; Education and training; Ethanol; Hydrogen; Kinetics; Nondestructive tests; Safety education; Storage tanks
• Uncontrolled Terms: Feedstocks
• Subject Areas: Education and Training; Geotechnology; Highways; Materials; I35: Miscellaneous Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01091459
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: UTC R170, 00012804
• Contract Numbers: DTRS98-G-0021
• Files: UTC, NTL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Apr 23 2008 9:24AM