Thermodynamic Analysis of Ethanol Dry Reforming: Effect of Combined Parameters

Ganesh R Kale,Tejas M Gaikwad

doi:10.1155/2014/929676

Abstract

The prospect of ethanol dry reforming process to utilize CO2 for conversion to hydrogen, syngas, and carbon nanofilaments using abundantly available biofuel—ethanol, and widely available environmental pollutant CO2 is very enthusiastic. A thermodynamic analysis of ethanol CO2 reforming process is done using Gibbs free energy minimization methodology within the temperature range 300–900°C, 1–10 bar pressure, and CO2 to carbon (in ethanol) ratio (CCER) 1–5. The effect of individual as well as combined effect of process parameters such as temperature, pressure, and CCER was determined on the product distribution. Optimum process conditions for maximising desired products and minimizing undesired products for applications such as gas to liquids (GTL) via fischer tropsch synthesis, syngas generation for Solid oxide fuel cells, and carbon nanofilament manufacture were found in this study.

Highlights

CO2 reforming is a useful way to utilize CO2 to transform it into valuable species such as hydrogen, syngas, and carbon
With increase in CO2 pollution awareness, researchers have started fresh studies in dry reforming to utilize CO2. This move has come with a bonus: carbon nanofilament formation was reported in some experimental studies of dry reforming
Dry reforming of butanol [7], glycerol [8], and coke oven gas [9] has been studied by some researchers

Summary

Introduction

CO2 reforming ( known as dry reforming) is a useful way to utilize CO2 to transform it into valuable species such as hydrogen, syngas, and carbon (nanofilaments). With increase in CO2 pollution awareness, researchers have started fresh studies in dry reforming to utilize (and sequester) CO2. This move has come with a bonus: carbon nanofilament formation was reported in some experimental studies of dry reforming. Blanchard et al [11] have experimentally studied the ethanol dry reforming using a carbon steel catalyst to produce syngas and nanocarbons. Bellido et al [12] have experimentally studied the dry reforming of ethanol using Ni/Y2O3-ZrO2 and achieved a maximum CO2 conversion of 61% at catalysts 800∘C

Methods

Results

Conclusion