Experimental study of 2-methoxyethanol steam reforming in a membrane reactor for pure hydrogen production

Abstract

For the first time, 2-methoxyethanol (C3H8O2) was used for producing pure hydrogen in a catalytic membrane reactor (CMR) via steam reforming (SR). The SR experiments were performed at 923 K and 1–10 bar using a mixture of 2-methoxyethanol (MEX) and water at S/C ratio of 3. Moreover, SR experiments were performed under the same operating conditions using ethylene glycol (EG), methanol (MET), and a mixture of EG + MET, keeping a constant carbon molar flow rate into the CMR to study the reaction pathway through which 2-methoxyethanol is converted to SR products (CH4, CO, CO2, and H2). Hydrogen recovery values of up to 90% and pure hydrogen yields of 0.5 and 0.63 at 10 bar were reached in the case of the steam reforming of MEX and EG + MET, respectively. An outstanding value of 4 mol of pure hydrogen per mol of MEX was obtained at 10 bar. The presence of methanol promoted the SR of EG. The experimental results showed that 2-methoxyethanol is a promising source for producing hydrogen, especially in a CMR where a better efficiency (complete fuel conversion and high hydrogen yield) is reached.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

A million-microchannel multifuel steam reformer for hydrogen production

“…If the production density is multiplied by the reactor volume, a value of 0.90 LN H2/mL2-methoxyethanol,liquid is obtained. Comparing this value with that obtained for the 2-methoxyethanol SR on a 400 cells per square inch (cpsi) cordierite monolith functionalized with the same RhPd/CeO2 catalyst (T=923 K, S/C=3, GHSV=10 2 h -1 , atmospheric pressure) (results reported in [13]) a similar value of 0.99 LNH2/mL2methoxyethanol,liquid was achieved. Remarkably, despite the three orders of magnitude difference between the dimensions of the channels of the Si micromonolith and of a conventional cordierite monolith, resulting in operational spatial velocities 4 orders of magnitude higher for the Si micromonoliths, similar H2 productions per mole of fuel fed were attained.…”

“…To that end, we investigated the generation of hydrogen from the SR of relevant model organic compounds containing different functional groups and longer carbon chains, namely, alcohols, acids, ethers, ketones, and hydrocarbons. In particular, ethanol, acetic acid, propanone (acetone), 2-propanol (isopropanol), 2-methoxyethanol (methyl cellosolve, C3H8O2) and a diesel surrogate (equivalent formula C12H23) were chosen [13,14]. The suitability of these compounds to generate hydrogen from their steam reforming reactions has been previously investigated in conventional reactors.…”

Review of the Decomposition of Ammonia to Generate Hydrogen

“…The membranes can have a separation function, or catalytic properties for the reaction. 495 When the membrane is surrounded by the catalyst, it is defined as a catalytic membrane reactor (CMR), while if the membrane is placed downstream of the catalytic reaction, it is referred to as a staged membrane reactor (SMR), where the separation occurs after the catalytic reaction. 496 An important advantage of CMRs is that they shift the equilibrium toward hydrogen; this is the so-called "shift effect" and allows the process to proceed at lower temperature and with more compact reactors.…”

“…The sweep gas can be used cocurrent or counter-current with respect to the permeated hydrogen flow, and the two configurations can give different results. , However, if an inert sweep gas is used the hydrogen stream is diluted, which is contrary to the objective pursued. The membranes can have a separation function, or catalytic properties for the reaction . When the membrane is surrounded by the catalyst, it is defined as a catalytic membrane reactor (CMR), while if the membrane is placed downstream of the catalytic reaction, it is referred to as a staged membrane reactor (SMR), where the separation occurs after the catalytic reaction .…”

Membrane Reactor Supported by MXene (Ti3C2TX) for Hydrogen Production by Ammonia Decomposition

“…Hydrogen (H 2 ) is a clean energy carrier alternative to fossil fuels. , However, H 2 is highly flammable and may cause fires and explosions if not handled properly . Due to these limitations, the on-site H 2 production technology has increasingly gained attention .…”