Hydrogen via steam reforming of liquid biofeedstock

Abstract

This review examines the use of steam reforming to convert bioliquids, such as ethanol, glycerol, butanol, vegetable oil, bio-oils and biodiesel, into hydrogen gas. The focus of the research was to investigate the research being undertaken in terms of catalyst developments for the steam reforming of the aforementioned feedstock, and to determine the perspective opportunities in this area. Hydrogen production by steam reforming of bio-oil, ethanol and pure glycerol has been widely investigated; several thermodynamic and catalytic investigations are available restricting new investigations. In contrast, hydrogen production from waste streams, vegetable oil, biodiesel and butanol is very recent and has room for further developments.

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge B Dou, P Pimenidou and R Md Zin for contributions in experimental steam reforming.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors wish to acknowledge Research Councils UK for continuing funding in sustainable hydrogen production (GR/R50677, EP/D078199/1, EP/F027389/1, EP/G01244X/1), and MV Twigg and Johnson Matthey PLC for expert advice and catalyst materials and financial support over the years. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.