Dense perovskite membrane reactor for oxidative steam reforming of ethanol to produce hydrogen

A perovskite Ba _0.5Sr _0.5Co _0.8Fe _0.2O _3-δ (BSCF) membrane was used in a membrane reactor. The H ₂ production performance and the stability of the Ni/α-Al ₂O ₃ catalyst in the oxidative steam reforming of ethanol in a dense membrane reactor and fixed-bed reactor are investigated and compared. The experimental results showed that the stable operation time in the membrane reactor was 16 hours longer than that in the fixed-bed reactor. The coke deposition on the Ni/α-Al ₂O ₃ catalyst is the major reason for the deactivation. It is obvious that the oxygen permeation plays an important role. The surface of the membrane on the reaction side was partly reduced due to the atmosphere, so that the surface of the membrane is etched and surface defects are formed. Therefore, the oxygen permeation rate increased gradually in the membrane reactor, eventually, the stable time of the catalyst in the membrane reactor is longer than that in the fixed-bed reactor.