Technologies to produce hydrogen and syngas

There are several reforming processes for producing hydrogen and syngas, all of them catalytic, which differ by the co-reactant used and in the process chemistry: steam reforming, partial oxidation, autothermal reforming and dry reforming. We develop catalysts and catalytic fuel reformers (including microreactor technologies) for the steam reforming, partial oxidation and dry reforming of methane, the steam reforming, partial oxidation and autothermal reforming of ethanol, the steam reforming of methanol and dimethyl ether, etc. In addition, we study the valorization of industrial and agricultural waste (like olive mill residues) as well as the steam reforming of heavy fuels like diesel to obtain hydrogen. We also work on the decomposition of ammonia to obtain CO-free hydrogen and on the CO preferential oxidation reaction to purify H₂-rich streams to feed PEM fuel cells.

Some relevant publications:

Lucentini, I., Casanovas, A., Llorca, J. Catalytic ammonia decomposition for hydrogen production on Ni, Ru and Ni-Ru supported on CeO₂. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2019, 44, 12693-12707.

Casanovas, A., Divins, N.J., Rejas, A., Bosch, R., Llorca, J. Finding a suitable catalyst for on-board ethanol reforming using exhaust heat from an internal combustion engine. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2017, 42, 13681-13690.

Pla, D., Salleras, M., Morata, A., Garbayo, I., Gerbolés, M., Sabaté, N., Divins, N.J., Casanovas, A., Llorca, J., Tarancón, A. Standalone ethanol micro-reformer integrated in silicon technology for onboard production of hydrogen-rich gas. Lab on a Chip, 2016, 16, 2900-2910.

Casanovas, A., Galvis, A., Llorca, J. Catalytic steam reforming of olive mill wastewater for hydrogen production. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2015, 40, 7539-7545.

Divins, N.J., López, E., Rodríguez, A., Vega, D., Llorca, J. Bio-ethanol steam reforming and autothermal reforming in 3-μm channels coated with RhPd/CeO₂ for hydrogen generation. Chemical Engineering and Processing: Process Intensification, 2013, 64, 31-37.

Espinal, R., Taboada, E., Molins, E., Chimentao, R.J., Medina, F., Llorca, J. Cobalt hydrotalcites as catalysts for bioethanol steam reforming. The promoting effect of potassium on catalyst activity and long-term stability. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 2012, 127, 59-67.