Reactors for Hydrogen Production by Bio-Ethanol Reforming

Bio-ethanol reforming is a type of promising technology for hydrogen production, which is focused on current low-carbon energy research. The key of ethanol reforming is to develop novel reforming catalysts with high activity and high selectivity at low temperature, and new efficient catalytic reactors. The effects of reactors on ethanol reforming process are focused in this paper, and ethanol reforming reactors at home and abroad are reviewed, such as fixed-bed reactors, microchannel reactors and membrane reactors. Based on the extensive discussion of the advantages and weaknesses of various catalytic reactors, the trends in the manufacture and application of bio-ethanol reforming reactors are also prospected. In our opinions, the following aspects need to be studied systematically; (1) strengthening basic theoretical researches, especially the reaction mechanisms of bio-ethanol reforming and the principles of mass/heat transfer, (2) developing novel low-temperature reforming catalysts with high activity, high stability, and low cost, (3) designing highly integrated catalytic reactors for bio-ethanol reforming.