Most recent results in hydrogen production from glycerol steam reforming

Here we report the most recent results in hydrogen production through glycerol steam reforming (SR). Glycerol is principally obtained as byproduct of biodiesel production and a glut in its market is expected in the next few years, rendering it an attractive renewable source for hydrogen production. On the contrary of the well known methane and ethanol steam reforming, glycerol SR is not yet so extensively studied and the matter is still quite open. We briefly discuss the general features of the reaction taking into account thermodynamic, mechanism, support role and promotion effects, giving some selected examples on non noble (Ni) and noble metals (Pt, Rh, Ru) based catalytic systems.