Progress in low temperature hydrogen production with simultaneous CO2 abatement

A new process has recently been proposed and investigated for low temperature hydrogen production from hydrocarbons with simultaneous CO2 abatement. It is based on a concept involving simultaneous hydrogen production and CO2 removal, which uses a stationary catalyst phase and a continuously moving adsorbent phase for in situ removal of CO2 and ex situ regeneration of adsorbent. This paper summaries the recent developments in the technology using methane (main composition of natual gas) and glycerol (main by-product of biofuels) as the model feedstocks and microsized hydrotalcite as the CO2 adsorbent. The paper consists of an overview of the new technology, associated fundamental studies including dynamics of adsorption, hydrodynamics, solid hold-up and heat transfer, and chemical reactions. Challenges for further development of the technology and process optimisation are also briefly discussed. (C) 2010 The Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.