Selection of CO2 sorbent used in bio-oil steam reforming process for hydrogen production

Through thermodynamic analysis, the CO2 sorbent(s) used in the steam reforming process of ethanol as the model compounds of bio-oil was selected from nine common metal oxides. Among them, calcium oxide shows the best CO2 adsorption capacity in the condition of the co-existence of CO2 and H2O in the temperature zone (600-1100 K) where ethanol steam reforming can obtain a higher hydrogen yield, and its carbonate (CaCO3) can easily decompose at slightly higher temperature. Compared to the ethanol steam reforming process with the addition of no any sorbent, the hydrogen yield and purity in the process with CaO as a sorbent were obviously improved, and the temperature range of more than 90% hydrogen yield is widened from 860-1010 K to 705-1085 K. Before the sorbent addition, the maximum hydrogen concentration appear at over 750 K, yet just around 74%, but the hydrogen concentration can overtake 90% in the range of 590-935 K after the addition of CaO. With thermogravimetric analysis, CaO from calcinated calcium acetate shows the highest CO2 adsorption capacity and the best cycle stability, as compared to the other two kinds of CaO, with analytical pure and from calcinated calcium hydroxide. (c) 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 34: 1208-1214, 2015