Membrane reactors for the efficient conversion of methanol and ethanol

Nowadays, hydrogen has gained a considerable attention as the most viable energy carrier for numerous applications and, particularly, for PEMFCs supplying. In particular, many studies concern the production of hydrogen in more environmentally friendly processes, based on the exploitation of bio-sources. Therefore, the hydrogen generation has made attractive the bio-alcohols and, among them, ethanol and methanol as bio-derived and renewable sources constitute attracting candidates for producing hydrogen through reforming reactions in both conventional and membrane reactors. This chapter deals with the recent findings on both ethanol and methanol reforming reactions, paying attention to the utilization and the potentiality of the membrane reactors technology as well as its advantages over the conventional reactors technology. Furthermore, a short overview from the open specialized literature on the most representative scientific results concerning ethanol and methanol reforming processes performed in membrane reactors is also given and discussed.