Thermodynamic study and kinetic modeling of bioethanol steam reforming

Reforming of bioethanol, mainly produced from biomass fermentation, provides a promising method for hydrogen production from renewable resources. This paper describes the research work carried out on the themodynamic analysis and kinetic modeling of bioethanol steam reforming using Ni-[Al.sub.2][O.sub.3] 10% at the temperature 350[degrees]C. The thermodynamic analysis which takes into account the main chemical species involved in the reactions was performed at more [H.sub.2]O/EtOH molar ratio. Following the thermodynamic study has resulted that the maximum concentration of [H.sub.2] was obtained at the molar ratio of [H.sub.2]O/EtOH 3:1 temperature of 550[degrees]C and 1 bar pressure. The experimental measurements were performed at laboratory scale and were done in isothermal conditions. The Langmuir-Hinshelwood-Hougen-Watson model was used in the kinetic modeling. The experiments for kinetic modeling was conducted under conditions 350[degrees]C, 3 bar and at molar ration water/ethanol 24:1 and was observed that. High concentrations of hydrogen were obtained when low inert gas flow was used. Keywords: Bioethanol, Steam reforming, Thermodynamic analysis, Hydrogen production, Kinetic modeling