Steam reforming of monoatomic aliphatic alcohols: factors affecting an equilibrium composition of products

The results of calculations of thermodynamic equilibria published over the last 15 years and experimental data for the catalytic steam reforming of ethanol, propanol, and n - and isobutyl alcohols were analyzed. When the conversion of the initial alcohol and yield of H 2 approach equilibrium values, the selectivity to CO, CO 2 , and methane can both approach the equilibrium values and appreciably differ from them depending on the catalyst and reaction conditions. This illustrates a complicated character of the kinetic control of reforming reactions and demonstrates a possibility of generating either hydrogen, or synthesis-gas enriched in hydrogen.