Thermodynamic Analysis of Ethanol Dry Reforming: Effect of Combined Parameters

Abstract

The prospect of ethanol dry reforming process to utilize CO 2 for conversion to hydrogen, syngas, and carbon nanofilaments using abundantly available biofuel—ethanol, and widely available environmental pollutant CO 2 is very enthusiastic. A thermodynamic analysis of ethanol CO 2 reforming process is done using Gibbs free energy minimization methodology within the temperature range 300–900°C, 1–10 bar pressure, and CO 2 to carbon (in ethanol) ratio (CCER) 1–5. The effect of individual as well as combined effect of process parameters such as temperature, pressure, and CCER was determined on the product distribution. Optimum process conditions for maximising desired products and minimizing undesired products for applications such as gas to liquids (GTL) via fischer tropsch synthesis, syngas generation for Solid oxide fuel cells, and carbon nanofilament manufacture were found in this study.