Scale-up of Coupled Process for Production of Hydrogen from Bio-based Feedstocks

PROJECT SUMMARY Title: Prototype Process for Converting Bioethanol to Low Cost / Negative Carbon Intensity Hydrogen PD: Harrison Jeffrey B. PCC Hydrogen Inc. With an existing infrastructure transport and established distribution network ethanol is an excellent source of hydrogen. An essential component to using ethanol as a green source of hydrogen is the capability to efficiently and cost effectively convert it in a compact system that can be replicated at points of need. Using steam and oxygen as co-feeds ethanol can be coverted to fuel cell grade hydrogen with the only byproduct a pure carbon dioxide that can be captured and sequestered. This proposal describes the development and operation of the key piece of technology: a prototype oxidative reformer reactor with unique internals that optimize the conversion and selectivity to maximize hydrogen production.. There are three main objective: th 1. Scale-up and fabrication of 1/50 commercial scale Prototype Reactor (PR) and supporting operating system. 2. Optimize the number and location of feed addition ports relative to the internal structure of the PR catalysts. 3. Temperature mapping of the reactor with different catalyst structure and feed ports. Specifically the proposed scope of work will provide a three dimensional view of the internal temperature distribution and reaction profile by using a series of axial and radial thermocouples and sampling ports. Mapping temperatures within the reactor is a major part of achieving the technical objectives of optimizing the reactant inlet configuration(s) defining the zones of reaction and optimizing space velocity while minimizing catalyst requirements - all directed toward commercial scale-up. This project represents a critical step in the commercial evolution of ethanol to hydrogen technology.