Hydrogen production by steam reforming of alcohols in conventional reactors

The catalytic conversion of alcohols to produce hydrogen is investigated with the aim to highlight the limits encountered in the development of steam reforming processes. Notwithstanding the efforts addressed in the last decade to the development of an efficient process, the coke formation represents an obstacle not easy to be overcome. The use of bimetallic systems and the employment of fluid bed reactors fed with reaction streams containing oxygen are indicated as potential solutions to develop efficient processes for the production of hydrogen with high yield.