Use of biofuels to produce hydrogen (reformation processes)

Abstract

This tutorial review deals with the catalytic reformation of ethanol and glycerol to produce hydrogen that can be used as an energy carrier in a fuel cell. Both the worldwide production of ethanol in large amounts to be used as a biofuel and that of glycerol as a by-product in biodiesel manufacture are presented. The catalytic reformation processes of both ethanol and glycerol are contemplated, including thermodynamic and kinetic aspects. Catalysts are analyzed as a function of operation conditions, selectivity and stability.