Alcohol reforming processes in membrane reactors

Abstract

Hydrogen is considered the energy carrier of the future since it produces only water when it is fed to polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. Currently, hydrogen is mainly produced by methane steam reforming, which is an energy-intensive process emitting approximately 9kg-CO2/kg-H2-produced. However, using alcohols from biofeedstock could reduce the CO2 emission. In addition, green hydrogen could be produced if a membrane reactor (MR) is used. The MR has the main benefit to intensify the process in terms of energy and efficiency since hydrogen is produced and simultaneously separated from the CO2 by a membrane. In this chapter, the relevant progress in topics of alcohol reforming via MR technology and the effect of operating conditions on the reforming reaction in MRs are reviewed and discussed. Moreover, mathematical models used for modeling reforming processes in MRs are discussed. © 2025 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.