Hydrogen production through the processes of ethanol catalytic steam reforming (SR) is one of the promising routes due to its extensive yield that can be gained. However, catalyst deactivation (as a result of coke formation) is a major drawback in such a process. Therefore, this research work introduces efficient MgO supported Cubic cobalt oxide catalyst for the process of ethanol SR. This catalyst was successfully able to produce gases that have high contents of CO-free hydrogen was produced (above 78%) at 500°C and various flow rates of feed. This catalyst had also avoided coke formation at that temperature while attaining capture of the in-situ produced CO2 gas. The employment of an operating temperature beyond 500°C, during the SR process, could reduce the percentages of hydrogen (in products) to less than 55%. Such increases in the operational temperature could leave behind the detection of coke deposits onto the catalyst surface. The presence of these deposits was confirmed visually as well as via Raman spectroscopy.
Keywords: 15% Co/MgO catalyst; Steam reforming; ethanol; hydrogen production; reaction temperature.