Direct production of flexible H2/CO synthesis gas in a solid electrolyte membrane reactor

Abstract

The development of novel configurations for the production of synthesis gas (syn-gas) of flexible H 2 /CO ratio is of great importance to reduce the cost for the synthesis of synfuels and high-value chemicals. In this work, we propose a radically novel approach to the direct production of syn-gas with flexible H 2 /CO ratio based on the solid electrolyte membrane reactor (SEMR). For that purpose, a single-chamber solid electrolyte membrane reactor based on yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) has been developed (Pt/YSZ/Pt), where both active Pt catalysts-electrodes were exposed to the same reaction atmosphere (C 2 H 5 OH/H 2 O=0.7 %/2 %). The application of different polarizations at temperature range (600-700°C) allows to control the H 2 /CO ratio of the obtained syn-gas, i.e., the ratio was varied between 1.5 and 12 under polarization conditions. Unlike conventional catalytic partial oxidation processes, the H 2 /CO adjustment was managed without the requirement of external O 2 feeding to the reactor. An increase in the applied current or potential caused the H 2 /CO ratio to increase vs. the open-circuit conditions where ethanol reforming occurred on the Pt catalyst-electrodes which is due to an increase in the rate of the electro-catalytic processes. On the other hand, a decrease in the H 2 /CO ratio at a fixed potential was achieved at higher temperatures due to the further reaction of the produced H 2 with the rest of the species present in the gas phase, leading to a decrease in the faradaic efficiency. The proposed configuration may be of great interest especially for biorefinery applications where H 2 , syn-gas and electricity may be produced from bioethanol.

A systematic approach to define flexibility in chemical engineering

“…De Lucas‐Consuegra et al [ 82 ] developed a new configuration for a solid electrolyte membrane reactor to convert an ethanol‐water feed stream to synthesis gas. The new reactor setup allows for synthesis gas to be produced with an adjustable H 2 /CO‐ratio from 1.5 to 12.…”

Assessment of the electrical properties and chemical stabilities of BaCe 0 . 9 Y 0 . 1 O 3 −δ and BaCe Graça1, Loureiro2, Holz3 et al. 2022Intl J of Energy Research4000View full textAdd to dashboardCite

“…In all these processes, ECMRs have been shown to be highly useful to manipulate the overall reactions, either to promote the formation of the desired chemical products and/or to offer product separation. In this respect, ECMRs are rapidly becoming an attractive alternative, compared to conventional separation processes, in various chemical applications, with the additional ability to induce electrochemical enhancements 5‐15 …”

“…In this respect, ECMRs are rapidly becoming an attractive alternative, compared to conventional separation processes, in various chemical applications, with the additional ability to induce electrochemical enhancements. [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] Proton ceramic materials are viable solutions to operate in ECMRs at low temperatures, due to their lower activation energy for ionic diffusion (E a = 0.3-0.6 eV), with respect to that of oxygen-ion conductors. 16,17 Of the potential ceramic proton conductors, materials with an ABO 3 perovskite structure have been shown to be the most viable compositions.…”

Dynamic Design Optimization for Flexible Process Equipment

“…Process equipment specifically designed to operate flexibly includes newly developed designs of equipment for common unit operations. Examples are still scarce but can be found, for example, for separation equipment, , electrochemical, , and reaction processes. , …”