Methanol Conversion for the Production of Hydrogen

Journal Article · Sat Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 2007 · Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ie061307v· OSTI ID:1015115

Taylor, Charles E. ^[1]; Howard, Bret H. ^[1]; Myers, Christina R. ^[1]

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1. National Energy Technology Lab. (NETL), Pittsburgh, PA, (United States)

The production of methanol from a variety of biomass sources is gaining favor. Several facilities exist or are under construction throughout the world to convert biogenerated methane from the decomposition of biomass into methanol using conventional steam reforming. Methanol is an excellent liquid-hydrogen-transport medium. When powered by hydrogen, fuel cells have the potential to be the cleanest and most efficient source of electricity for use by the automotive industry. On-board reforming of liquid hydrocarbon fuels is a viable alternative to the storage of compressed hydrogen. A problem in current reforming processes is the quantity of carbon monoxide (CO) produced. Our research is geared toward circumventing the production of carbon monoxide in methanol reforming through the development of novel reforming catalysts. By modifying a copper-based catalyst, we have produced several catalysts that retain their activity and high surface area after extended methanol reforming runs both with and without the addition of steam.

• Research Organization: National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), Pittsburgh, PA, Morgantown, WV, and Albany, OR (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy (FE)
• OSTI ID: 1015115
• Report Number(s): NETL-TPR--1993
• Journal Information: Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, Journal Name: Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research Journal Issue: 26 Vol. 46; ISSN 0888-5885
• Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

08 HYDROGEN
09 BIOMASS FUELS