The use of industrial dehydrogenation catalysts for hydrogen production from bioethanol

The catalytic performance of Cu-containing industrial dehydrogenation catalysts for the steam reforming of ethanol has been studied in the temperature range of 150– 300 ∘ C , using 12 wt% C 2 H 5 OH in water mixtures. It was found that without the catalyst appreciable hydrogen production started at temperatures above 300 ∘ C and the hydrogen production rate reached 0.3 g ( h ) - 1 ( kg cat . ) - 1 at 400 ∘ C . The use of catalysts allowed to reach hydrogen production rate of 19– 25 g ( h ) - 1 ( kg cat . ) - 1 at 250– 300 ∘ C . Acetaldehyde, acetone, CO 2 and CH 4 were registered at the outlet of the ethanol reformer. Carbon monoxide was not detected, which was likely caused by intensive water gas shift reaction.