A thermodynamic analysis of hydrogen production by steam reforming of ethanol via response reactions

The thermodynamics of ethanol steam reforming is considered in terms of res ponse reactions (RERs). These have the property of being independent of the usually arbitrary initial choice of a set of independent reactions, and fo llow in a natural way from the fundamental equations of chemical thermodyna mics. A simple algorithm is proposed for deriving a unique set of RERs, whi ch can be used to rationalize the effect of process variables on steam refo rming of ethanol to produce hydrogen. Further, from sensitivity analysis, t he dominant reactions in the system can be identified and used in subsequen t thermodynamic and kinetic analysis. These are usually arrived at through guess work. At or above 700-800 K, and high water/ethanol ratios the desire d reaction of ethanol steam reforming can be made predominant and the effec t of undesirable side reactions can be minimized. (C) 1999 International As sociation for Hydrogen Energy. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All right s reserved.