Effect of impurity on thermally self-sustained double reactor coupling hydrogen production from glycerol reforming and methanol production from carbon dioxide and hydrogen

Abstract

Thermally self-sustained double reactor (TSSDR) operating without external heat source consists of dual channels for endothermic and exothermic reactions. Hydrogen (H2) is produced from wasted glycerol by aqueous-phase glycerol reforming (APGR) at 200-250 °C and 20-25 bar while carbon dioxide (CO2) is a by-product. Produced H2 and CO2 are used as raw materials for methanol synthesis (MS) at 200-250 °C and 50-80 bar. Methanol synthesis and glycerol reforming occur at inner and outer channels of TSSDR, respectively. The TSSDR is fully packed with catalyst. Generated heat of exothermic reaction is sufficient for endothermic reaction. Main products of glycerol reforming in gas phase are H2 and CO2 while CO and CH4 are by-products. All products in gas phase are totally recycled as a feed stream for exothermic channel. CO and CH4 in feed reduce CO2 conversion and methanol yield in MS. The effect of impurities in glycerol feed stream also influences with hydrogen production in APGR. Especially, methanol, which is an impurity in glycerol feed obtained from biodiesel production, significantly reduces glycerol conversion in TSSDR.