Optimization of Hydrogen Production by Ethanol Steam Reforming Using Maximization of H2/CO Ratio with Taguchi Experimental Design Method

In this study the effects of some different factors on ceria (CeO2) catalytic activity for ethanol steam reforming (ESR) to produce high H2/CO ratio were investigated. The considered factors were sonication time in three durations (0, 15 and 30 minutes), calcination temperature at three temperatures (500, 650 and 800°C), mole ratio of H2O/ethanol in three ratios (3, 5 and 8) and reactor temperature at three temperatures (300, 350 and 400°C). The Taguchi L9 experimental design method was used to investigate the effect of these parameters on maximization of H2/CO. To identify the catalyst characteristics XRD, SEM, EDS, BET and TGA analysis were done. It was established that a face centered cubic crystal forms of nano particles of CeO2 were formed. Also the obtained results showed that by increasing calcination temperature or reducing the sonication time, the nano particle size was increased. The reactor tests showed that the optimum conditions for maximization of H2/CO ratio were: sonication time zero, calcination temperature 800°C, H2O/ethanol ratio 3 and reactor temperature 300°C. The mole percent of H2 and CO in these conditions were 64.46 and 0.011%, respectively.