Brazilian researchers advance hydrogen production from ethanol
In Brazil, hydrogen production from ethanol, especially when derived from biomass, is a particularly promising pathway in the Brazilian context. Brazil has a well-established infrastructure for producing, distributing, and using this biofuel, opening the door to technological solutions that add value to ethanol and expand its role in the energy transition.
A study led by researchers at the Institute of Energy and Nuclear Research (IPEN) has made significant progress in this direction. The study demonstrated that fine-tuning the processing of a perovskite-type ceramic catalyst is crucial for maximizing the conversion of ethanol into hydrogen. This increases the stability of the system and reduces costs. It also eliminates the need for noble metals that are traditionally used in this type of reaction. The study is published in the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy.
The conversion is carried out through a process known as ethanol steam reforming (ESR). In simple terms, this involves reacting ethanol with steam at high temperatures to produce hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The ideal overall reaction, which maximizes hydrogen production, can be represented as follows: C2H5OH + 3 H2O → 2 CO2 + 6 H2. However, in practice, the process involves several intermediate steps. This makes the role of the catalyst central to directing the reaction, maximizing hydrogen yield, and avoiding undesirable pathways. One such pathway is the formation of coke (carbon deposits), which rapidly degrades the material.
Category: Research
