Steam reforming of ethanol for hydrogen production: Thermodynamic analysis

The thermodynamic feasibility of the steam reforming of ethanol has been re-examined under conditions conducive to carbon formation using a modified approach. The findings are compared with the previously published results of Garcia and Laborde. In addition, the computations are extended to high water-to-ethanol ratios (and higher temperatures) as applicable to dilute stream produced during the fermentation of molasses. Equilibrium hydrogen yields as high as 5.5 mole per mole of ethanol in the feed are obtainable as against the stoichiometric value of 6.0.