Methanol steam reforming and Ethanol steam reforming in Membrane Reactors: An experimental study

In this work a comparison between methanol steam reforming reaction (MSR) and ethanol steam reforming reaction (ESR) to produce hydrogen in membrane reactors (MRs) is discussed from an experimental point of view. Both reaction systems have been investigated by considering the influence of the membrane characteristics as well as the influence of the operating temperature. In the case of the dense membrane, the sweep gas flow rate and the different fluxes configurations have also been analysed. Experimental results, in terms of reactants conversion as well as hydrogen production and gases selectivity in MRs and in a traditional reactor (TR), are presented. The catalyst stability in both reaction systems was also tested.