Hydrogen Production by Gasification of Isooctane Using Supercritical Water

Abstract

The production of hydrogen by gasification of isooctane, a model compound of gasoline, was investigated in a continuously operated tubular reactor under supercritical water conditions without using any catalyst. Various experimental conditions, feed inlet temperature (80–412°C), residence time (8–16 s), reactor temperature (593–694°C), feed concentration (15–23 wt%), and oxidant concentration (0–2300 mmol/L) at a fixed pressure of 25 MPa, were examined in detail. Hydrogen peroxide was used as the oxidant. The major components of the produced gas were H2, CH4 and CO2 and the minor components of the produced gas were CO and C2H6. As residence time, isooctane concentration, and reactor temperature increased, H2, CH4, and CO2 gas yield increased while CO gas yield did not change much. Possible reaction pathways at each experimental condition are presented.