Production of Synthesis Gases from Ethanol Steam Reforming Process

Abstract

In this study, the production of synthesis gases has been purposed under between 250 o C - 700 o C and 1 - 2 bars pressures. The research was conducted over a commercial BASF catalyst and a laboratory prepared catalyst. The catalyst has a content of different substances including basically NiO/Al 2 O 3 and some additionals (Ca, Mg, Cr, Si). The experimental measurements were carried out within a recently developed experimental equipment which can be operated up to 1200 o and 1 to 3 bars pressures. The study was conducted over a commercial BASF catalyst and a laboratory prepared catalyst under different ethanol/water ratios, temperatures, and catalyst loads. Under the condition when ethanol/water ratios were decreased from 1/2 to 1/10, it was observed that hydrogen ratios increased in exit gas composition of the reactor. With increments in catalyst loads from 1 to 5 grammes, hydrogen ratios in exit gas composition gradually increased. Reaction of ethanol-steam reforming started nearly at 300 o C, and when temperature increments continued further up to 700 o C, hydrogen yields in exit gas compositions of the reactor increased significantly to a range of 70% - 80%. In the case of using commercial BASF catalyst, hydrogen ratios in exit gas composition were found slightly higher than laboratory prepared catalyst. According to our observations, life time of laboratory prepared catalyst was found higher than the commercial BASF catalyst. In this study which kinetic measurements were applied, some kinetic parameters of ethanol-steam reaction were calculated. The mean activation energy of ethanol consumptions at 573 o K - 973 o K was found as 26.87 kJ/mol, approximately. All kinetic measurements were analyzed with a first order reaction rate model. In this study, some diffusion limitations existed, however, overall reaction was chemically controlled.