High-Pressure Catalytic Ethanol Reforming for Enhanced Hydrogen Production Using Efficient and Stable Nickel-Based Catalysts

Abstract

The urgent need to address the climate crisis demands a swift transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Clean hydrogen, produced through ethanol steam reforming (ESR), offers a viable solution. Traditional ESR operates at atmospheric pressure, requiring costly separation and compression of hydrogen. High-pressure ESR, however, improves hydrogen purification, streamlines processes like pressure swing adsorption, and reduces operational costs while enhancing energy efficiency. High-pressure ESR also enables compact reactor designs, minimizing equipment size and land use by compressing reactants into smaller volumes. This study evaluates two nickel-based commercial catalysts, AR-401 and NGPR-2, under high-pressure ESR conditions. Key parameters, including reaction temperature, steam-to-ethanol ratio, and weight hourly space velocity, were optimized. At 30 bars, 700 °C, and a steam-to-ethanol ratio of 9, both catalysts demonstrated complete ethanol conversion, with hydrogen selectivity of 65–70% and yields of 4–4.5 moles of H2 per mole of ethanol. Raising the temperature to 850 °C improved hydrogen selectivity to 74% and yielded 5.2 moles of H2 per mole. High-pressure ESR using renewable ethanol provides a scalable, efficient pathway for hydrogen production, supporting sustainable energy solutions.