Sustainable H2 production from glycerol steam reforming in the heat-integrated reactor: Using reforming-side by-products as feed for the catalytic combustion-side

Abstract

Currently, fossil fuels are considered the primary energy carriers having a significant role in the global energy market. Two main features, including environmental pollution owing to greenhouse gas emissions as well as fossil fuel reserves depletion, make severe instability in the world market. Consequently, researchers are trying to propose different processes to attain energy from renewable sources. In this study, a novel heat exchanger reactor for sustainable hydrogen production from glycerol steam reforming has been suggested. In this configuration, the required heat of steam reforming reactions is supplied through the catalytic combustion reaction. At the same time, the required fuel for the combustion reactions is provided by reforming side by-products. A one-dimensional mathematical model has been developed to study the reactor behavior and the role of different influencing parameters on its performance. The results showed that it is feasible to eliminate the furnace used in the conventional process and enhance the glycerol conversion by 48% compared to the adiabatic reactor. Since the use of by-products of the glycerol steam reforming as a heat source for the hydrogen production has not been used so far, it can be acknowledged that this method could be feasible and beneficial in energy saving.