Fundamental problems of hydrogen and renewable energy and fuel all technologies

Catalysts for steam reforming of oxygenates for hydrogen production

Area of applications

In scientific and technological centers that carry out research and development in the field of catalysis; in chemical industry, energetics, catalysts manufacturing for hydrogen production technologies based on renewable raw materials, particularly to replace natural gas.

Brief description

Hydrogen production by catalytic steam reforming of biomass derived oxygenates is considered as a promising renewable energy technology. As a result of the project, a method was developed for the production of renewable hydrogen by steam reforming of bioethanol using catalysts based on nanosized ferrites MІІFeІІІ2O4 (M = Mg, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn). Dependences of functional properties of ferrites as catalysts of steam reforming of liquid oxygenates on their chemical composition and physico-chemical characteristics (structural, oxidation-reducing and acid-basic properties) are established. The influence of the composition of reaction mixtures and parameters of the process on the basic characteristics of steam reforming of oxygenates has been analyzed.

Expected properties

Prospective initial catalytic systems that do not contain precious metals were created. Conditions for hydrogen production by catalytic steam reforming of biomass derived oxygenates for renewable hydrogen energy technologies were determined. The obtained regularities of the steam reforming of oxygen-containing organic compounds on metal-oxide catalysts have allowed formulating approaches to the construction of effective catalysts for the steam reforming of biosources into hydrogen.

Advantages

The proposed catalysts for ethanol steam reforming allow the possibility of hydrogen production based on domestic renewable resources as an alternative to processes using fossil fuels, in particular methane. Realization of the process does not require additional distillation of bioethanol after fermentation. Catalysts do not contain precious metals, can operate at low and medium temperatures; the products of the reaction do not contain carbon monoxide, which is an important indicator for the use of hydrogen in low-temperature fuel cells.

Competitors

The process is not commercialized today. Investigations in the area of catalytic steam reforming of ethanol are carried out in scientific centers in several European countries (France, Italy, Spain, Greece, Hungary), USA, Brazil, China and Japan.

Project development

It were developed the initial catalytic systems based on ferrites Mg, Mn and Fe, which are characterized by thermal stability of the oxide phase, have shown significant catalytic activity and selectivity in the process of hydrogen production by steam reforming of liquid oxygenates derived from biomass.
The probable scheme of the mechanism of steam reforming of ethanol on ferrites, which combines both oxidation-reduction and acid-base stages, is proposed.

Intellectual property

Process for the preparation of hydrogen. Ukrainian Patent number 60806, published 25.06.2011

Catalyst for hydrogen preparation by steam reforming of ethanol. Ukrainian Patent number 115288, published 10.04.2017, Bulletin No 7

Contact information

Executing : L.V.Pysarzhevskii Institute of Physical Chemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine

Project 6 «Physico-chemical bases of creation of catalysts for steam reforming of renewable organic raw materials for hydrogen production».

Project leader:

Corresponding Member of the NAS of Ukraine specialty

Strizhak Peter E.