Investigation of ethanol conversion for hydrogen fuel cells using computer simulations


Örücü E., Karakaya M., AVCI A. K., ÖNSAN Z. İ.

Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, cilt.80, sa.10, ss.1103-1110, 2005 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 80 Sayı: 10
  • Basım Tarihi: 2005
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1002/jctb.1288
  • Dergi Adı: Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1103-1110
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Computer simulations, Ethanol, Fuel cells, Hydrogen production, Indirect partial oxidation
  • Boğaziçi Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Ethanol conversion to hydrogen has been investigated by a series of thermodynamic analyses and computer simulations within the context of a cost-effective fuel processor/fuel cell system where heat exchange is of great importance. Two different methods, multi-reaction equilibria and Gibbs free energy minimisation, are used for the thermodynamic analyses. The computer simulations consider the catalytic conversion of ethanol to hydrogen on a bimetallic Pt-Ni catalyst by indirect partial oxidation (IPOX) which consists of total oxidation (TOX), steam reforming (SR) and water-gas shift (WGS) reactions. The results indicate that there is an optimal water:fuel ratio for maximum hydrogen production at each operating condition for hydrogen yields calculated as a percentage of the theoretical value. Mass-based hydrogen yields are also presented considering fuel economy especially for vehicular applications. Finally, the benefits of using a secondary WGS reactor and the comparison of the results of the two thermodynamic methods are highlighted. © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry.