Aqueous Phase Base-Facilitated-Reforming (BFR) of Renewable Fuels

The primary industrial method for hydrogen production, Steam Methane Reforming (SMR) of natural gas (NG), has a number of shortcomings: (1) the natural gas feedstock is not renewable; (2) carbon emissions require costly mitigation systems to be compliant with EPA regulations; (3) reformation results in a dilute hydrogen gas stream that require extensive purification to obtain pure hydrogen; and (4) elevated processing temperatures, input energy requirements, and process inefficiencies induce high capital and operating costs. This project will develop an aqueous-phase base-facilitated reforming (BFR) and feedstock selection process that addresses these shortcomings. In Phase I, hydrogen yield from BFR was experimentally determined for different feedstocks (paper, wood, grass, food) in batch reactors and found to be between 50 % and 90% of theoretical. Phase II will involve the design and demonstration of an aqueous BFR reactor that can continuously produce 10 kg of hydrogen per day. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The BFR technology would offer the following advantages: conversion of renewable fuels, liquid phase reformation, low temperature operation, elimination of water gas shift, and pure hydrogen gas creation. The hydrogen produced would have immediate use in existing industrial processes. In the longer term, the hydrogen produced from BFR should become a significant fuel source for transportation and the generation of electricity.