NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR HYDROGEN-PRODUCTION BY THE CATALYTIC-OXIDATION ANDSTEAM REFORMING OF METHANOL AT LOW-TEMPERATURES

A simple design of an adiabatic reactor for the production of hydrogen from methanol without external heating has been explored. Heat and st eam are generated by oxidising part of the methanol and are removed in the process of reforming methanol to hydrogen. The reactor design emp hasises the degree of control that can be achieved in a two-bed system by controlling the air to methanol and water to methanol ratios in th e feed. Predictions of the model are compared with experimental testin g to allow optimisation of the process. Up to 75% of methanol can be c onverted to hydrogen.