Abstract
Thermally self-sustained double reactor (TSSDR) operating without external heat source consists of dual channels for endothermic and exothermic reactions. Hydrogen (H2) is produced from wasted glycerol by aqueous-phase glycerol reforming (APGR) at 200-250 ºC and 20-25 bar while carbon dioxide (CO2) is a by-product. Produced H2 and CO2 are used as raw materials for methanol synthesis (MS) at 200-250 ºC and 50-80 bar. Methanol synthesis and glycerol reforming occur at inner and outer channels of TSSDR, respectively. The TSSDR is fully packed with catalyst. Generated heat of exothermic reaction is sufficient for endothermic reaction. Main products of glycerol reforming in gas phase are H2 and CO2 while CO and CH4 are by-products. All products in gas phase are totally recycled as a feed stream for exothermic channel. CO and CH4 in feed reduce CO2 conversion and methanol yield in MS. The effect of impurities in glycerol feed stream also influences with hydrogen production in APGR. Especially, methanol, which is an impurity in glycerol feed obtained from biodiesel production, significantly reduces glycerol conversion in TSSDR.
Highlights
Methanol is an essential chemical and primary feedstock for paraffins, olefins and various organic compounds such as acetic anhydride, acetic acid and formaldehyde [1]
The features of aqueous-phase glycerol reforming (APGR) are that no vaporization of the feedstock is required, which could decrease the input energy compared to steam reforming
The inner channel is intended for methanol synthesis (MS) and the outer channel is designed for APGR
Summary
Methanol is an essential chemical and primary feedstock for paraffins, olefins and various organic compounds such as acetic anhydride, acetic acid and formaldehyde [1]. MS is generally carried out in gas phase at high pressure and temperature of 50-80 bar and 200-300 °C with Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 as a catalyst. As this reaction is exothermic, researchers have devised schemes to use heat released from MS in other reactions. Glycerol reforming is endothermic reaction is generated in gas phase at high temperature (400-700 °C) [4]. The features of APGR are that no vaporization of the feedstock is required, which could decrease the input energy compared to steam reforming This reaction can operate at low temperature (200 – 250 °C) [5, 6].
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