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Vapor Phase Reforming of Glycerol to Hydrogen 2006
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Hydrogen gas can be produced using vapor phase reforming of glycerol, a
process developed by Professor Dumesic in the Chemical Engineering Department
of UW – Madison. Glycerol, C3H8O3, is a
byproduct of bio-diesel production and using it can be cost negative and decrease
landfill waste. Also, being from a renewable source, the whole process is
carbon neutral – it expels carbon into the atmosphere that was taken out from
the atmosphere by the plants used. The hydrogen gas can be fed indirectly to an
ICE engine which can power a small car like the Corbin Sparrow.
Status
After the study done on the small-scale reactor, several major flaws were discovered
that prevent the project from continuing.
The spring 2006 semester was devoted to building the physical reactor,
testing, and improving the design with the objective of scaling it up to run
an internal combustion engine. Major challenges included obtaining funding/donations
and finding a location to run the reactor and analyze the output.
During the
2005 fall semester, the theory behind the process was studied. Flowsheets, flow diagrams,
specifications of the reactor and equipment needed, optimal conditions for running, and
flow rates of output were studied.
Technical Specifications
To produce the hydrogen, vapor phase reforming of glycerol at
atmospheric pressure was used. A water/glycerol solution was injected into a reactor
at 300 degrees Celsius and atmospheric pressure, and hydrogen, carbon dioxide,
water, and methane were produced. The reaction used a 5% platinum on carbon
catalyst.
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