A thermodynamic equilibrium analysis of hydrogen and synthesis gas production from steam reforming of acetic acid and acetone blends as bio-oil model compounds

Abstract

Thermodynamic analysis of steam reforming of blends of two model oxygenates, acetic acid and acetone, representing carboxylic acids and ketones in bio-oil is performed to investigate the effects of their potential interactions on hydrogen yield, synthesis gas composition and progress of reaction network. The results show that both acetic acid and acetone reach complete conversion at all operating conditions. Higher S/C molar ratio results in higher H2 and CO2 yields for both acetic acid and acetone. With the increase in pressure, H2 and CO yields are diminished whereas CH4 and CO2 yields are enhanced. H2 and CO2 yields increase with the decrease in acetone concentration in the feed blend. CO and CH4 production are affected adversely for acetic acid rich blends. The maximum H2 yield values are 75.54%, 78.34%, 80.09%, 81.78% and 84.17% at 700 °C for acetic acid/acetone blends of 0.0/1.0, 0.3/0.7, 0.5/0.5, 0.7/0.3 and 1.0/0.0, respectively.