Steam reforming is the most usual method of hydrogen production due to its high production efficiency and technological maturity. The use of ethanol for this purpose is an interesting option because it is a renewable and environmentally friendly fuel. The objective of this article is to present the physical-chemical, thermodynamic, and exergetic analysis of a steam reformer of ethanol, in order to produce of hydrogen as feedstock of a PEMFC. The global reaction of ethanol is considered. Superheated ethanol reacts with steam at high temperatures producing hydrogen and carbon dioxide, depending strongly on the thermodynamic conditions of reforming, as well as on the technical features of the reformer system and catalysts. The thermodynamic analysis shows the feasibility of this reaction in temperatures about . Below this temperature, the reaction trends to the reactants. The advance degree increases with temperature and decreases with pressure. Optimal temperatures range between 600 and . However, when the temperature attains , the reaction stability occurs, that is, the hydrogen production attains the limit. For temperatures above , the heat use is very high, involving high costs of production due to the higher volume of fuel or electricity used. The optimal pressure is ., e.g., at atmospheric pressure. The exergetic analysis shows that the lower irreversibility is attained for lower pressures. However, the temperature changes do not affect significantly the irreversibilities. This analysis shows that the best thermodynamic conditions for steam reforming of ethanol are the same conditions suggested in the physical-chemical analysis.
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e-mail: caetano@feg.unesp.br
e-mail: joseluz@feg.unesp.br
e-mail: misosa@volta.ing.unlp.edu.ar
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August 2006
This article was originally published in
Journal of Fuel Cell Science and Technology
Special Issue Research Papers
Physical-Chemical and Thermodynamic Analyses of Ethanol Steam Reforming for Hydrogen Production
Antonio Carlos Caetano de Souza,
Antonio Carlos Caetano de Souza
Energy Department, College of Engineering of Guaratinguetá,
e-mail: caetano@feg.unesp.br
São Paulo State University (UNESP)
, Guaratinguetá, SP, Brazil; Mechanics Department, College of Engineering, Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP)
, La Plata, BA, Argentina
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José Luz-Silveira,
José Luz-Silveira
Energy Department, College of Engineering of Guaratinguetá,
e-mail: joseluz@feg.unesp.br
São Paulo State University (UNESP)
, Guaratinguetá, SP, Brazil; Mechanics Department, College of Engineering, Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP)
, La Plata, BA, Argentina
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Maria Isabel Sosa
Maria Isabel Sosa
Energy Department, College of Engineering of Guaratinguetá,
e-mail: misosa@volta.ing.unlp.edu.ar
São Paulo State University (UNESP)
, Guaratinguetá, SP, Brazil; Mechanics Department, College of Engineering, Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP)
, La Plata, BA, Argentina
Search for other works by this author on:
Antonio Carlos Caetano de Souza
Energy Department, College of Engineering of Guaratinguetá,
São Paulo State University (UNESP)
, Guaratinguetá, SP, Brazil; Mechanics Department, College of Engineering, Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP)
, La Plata, BA, Argentinae-mail: caetano@feg.unesp.br
José Luz-Silveira
Energy Department, College of Engineering of Guaratinguetá,
São Paulo State University (UNESP)
, Guaratinguetá, SP, Brazil; Mechanics Department, College of Engineering, Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP)
, La Plata, BA, Argentinae-mail: joseluz@feg.unesp.br
Maria Isabel Sosa
Energy Department, College of Engineering of Guaratinguetá,
São Paulo State University (UNESP)
, Guaratinguetá, SP, Brazil; Mechanics Department, College of Engineering, Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP)
, La Plata, BA, Argentinae-mail: misosa@volta.ing.unlp.edu.ar
J. Fuel Cell Sci. Technol. Aug 2006, 3(3): 346-350 (5 pages)
Published Online: January 26, 2006
Article history
Received:
October 24, 2005
Revised:
January 26, 2006
Citation
Caetano de Souza, A. C., Luz-Silveira, J., and Sosa, M. I. (January 26, 2006). "Physical-Chemical and Thermodynamic Analyses of Ethanol Steam Reforming for Hydrogen Production." ASME. J. Fuel Cell Sci. Technol. August 2006; 3(3): 346–350. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2217957
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