Within the Bioenergy sector, the biogas can be considered as one of the most widespread renewable fuels [1]. The utilization of biogas (CH4 and CO2 mixtures) to produce syngas/hydrogen by reforming processes to feed fuel cells for stationary (CHP) and mobile application (FCEVs), represents an alternative route to the traditional utilization of this biofuel in less efficient and polluting engines. Among the possible reforming reactions, Steam reforming (SR) is widely used for the hydrogen production process and is the largest and generally most economical especially for industrial application [2]. Another option can be represented by the Tri-Reforming (TR) process. The simultaneous occurrence of dry reforming reaction in presence of O2 and H2O, can help to overcome critical factors of the reaction, as the deactivation by coke deposition reducing at the same time the overall endothermicity of the process; moreover the CO2 contained in the biogas can be used as a reagent in operating conditions with low water and oxygen contents [3]. Even if the reforming technologies are mature, especially SR for hydrogen production on a large scale, more efforts are required for process intensification to develop compact systems for small scale distributed hydrogen production (100-500 kg/day). Central issues of reforming processes for small scale application are the development of efficient, stable and low cost catalysts and the realization of more compact and lightweight, fuel processor [4]. In this respect different catalyst configurations (foams, honeycombs, gauze, microchannels) were proposed as alternative to traditional packed-bed reactors for the realization of compact reactors. The advantages of structured catalysts are related especially to the large surface-to-volume ratio that leads to good heat and mass transfer properties and low pressure drop. In this work, the performances of structured catalysts, based on Rh (1.5wt.%), supported on CeO2, coated on cordierite monoliths (400 cpsi, diameter 1 cm, length 1.5 cm) and alumina foams (20, 30, 40 PPI, diameter 1 cm, length 1.5 cm) were investigated and compared under the biogas SR and TR condition.
Structured catalysts for hydrogen production by biogas Steam and Tri-Reforming processes at high flow-rates
Antonio Vita;Cristina Italiano;Lidia Pino;Concetto Fabiano;
2016
Abstract
Within the Bioenergy sector, the biogas can be considered as one of the most widespread renewable fuels [1]. The utilization of biogas (CH4 and CO2 mixtures) to produce syngas/hydrogen by reforming processes to feed fuel cells for stationary (CHP) and mobile application (FCEVs), represents an alternative route to the traditional utilization of this biofuel in less efficient and polluting engines. Among the possible reforming reactions, Steam reforming (SR) is widely used for the hydrogen production process and is the largest and generally most economical especially for industrial application [2]. Another option can be represented by the Tri-Reforming (TR) process. The simultaneous occurrence of dry reforming reaction in presence of O2 and H2O, can help to overcome critical factors of the reaction, as the deactivation by coke deposition reducing at the same time the overall endothermicity of the process; moreover the CO2 contained in the biogas can be used as a reagent in operating conditions with low water and oxygen contents [3]. Even if the reforming technologies are mature, especially SR for hydrogen production on a large scale, more efforts are required for process intensification to develop compact systems for small scale distributed hydrogen production (100-500 kg/day). Central issues of reforming processes for small scale application are the development of efficient, stable and low cost catalysts and the realization of more compact and lightweight, fuel processor [4]. In this respect different catalyst configurations (foams, honeycombs, gauze, microchannels) were proposed as alternative to traditional packed-bed reactors for the realization of compact reactors. The advantages of structured catalysts are related especially to the large surface-to-volume ratio that leads to good heat and mass transfer properties and low pressure drop. In this work, the performances of structured catalysts, based on Rh (1.5wt.%), supported on CeO2, coated on cordierite monoliths (400 cpsi, diameter 1 cm, length 1.5 cm) and alumina foams (20, 30, 40 PPI, diameter 1 cm, length 1.5 cm) were investigated and compared under the biogas SR and TR condition.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
