Goal
Efficiently convert ethanol and other biofuels into hydrogen at low temperature using inexpensive, precious-metal-free materials.
Problem
High cost and scarcity of precious-metal catalysts and the need for high-temperature processes for hydrogen production from biofuels.
Concept Summary
A dark-gray powder catalyst composed of cerium oxide granules mixed with calcium and coated with cobalt particles. The catalyst promotes oxygen-ion transport, preventing coking and enabling 90 % hydrogen yield from ethanol at ~350 deg C (660 deg F). The process can be deployed at gas stations for on-site hydrogen generation.
Principles
- Catalysis
- Redox chemistry
- Oxygen-ion conductivity
- Low-temperature steam reforming
Scientific Domains
Materials
- Cerium oxide
- Calcium
- Cobalt
Mechanisms of Action
- Ethanol steam reforming over a mixed-oxide catalyst
- Catalytic oxidation of carbon fragments (coking) via oxygen ion migration
- Hydrogen-rich gas generation and downstream purification
Energy Sources
Applications
- Hydrogen fueling stations
- Distributed on-site hydrogen production
- Fuel-cell vehicles
Claimed Performance
90 % hydrogen yield at 660 deg F (~=350 deg C) with a low-cost catalyst (~$9 kg^-^1).
Experimental Evidence
Laboratory tests reported 90 % hydrogen efficiency from ethanol at ~350 deg C; the catalyst remained active without significant coking.
Limitations
- Long-term catalyst stability not yet proven
- Heat management required for continuous operation
- Scale-up from laboratory to industrial scale
