Co-processing methanol and ethanol in bio-char steam gasification for hydrogen-rich gas production

Abstract Co-processing methanol and ethanol in bio-char steam gasification was investigated in a fixed-bed reactor. The effect of reaction temperature, steam flow rate and additives content on gas composition and H 2 yield were evaluated. The results showed that bio-char is an ideal material for H 2 production, and the maximum H 2 yield (233.3 g/kg bio-char) was obtained in the absence of additives at 950 °C, 0.5 g/min steam flow rate, meantime, producing hydrogen-rich gas with slight formation of methane. Methanol and ethanol blended with steam, and subsequently introduced in reactor have positive effect on H 2 yield. However, taking the economy and char conversion rate into consideration, 5 vol%–8 vol% may be suitable contents, and H 2 yield increased to 342 g/kg and 308.9 g/kg with 5 vol% of methanol and ethanol added in gasifying agent at 950 °C and 0.5 g/min steam flow rate. Furthermore, the proposed catalytic gasification of hydrogen-rich gas for high purity hydrogen and synthetic natural gas may be a promising way for using the produced gases.