Underwater vehicle hydrogen production from methanol steam reforming using hydrogen peroxide

Methanol steam reforming (MSR) can supply hydrogen (H-2) to underwater vehicles equipped with a fuel cell. Low reaction temperatures ensure the composition of the reformed gas suitable for the H-2 purification unit and increase the design freedom of a reforming plant. However, such temperatures decrease the catalyst activity and thereby the methanol (MeOH) conversion and H-2 production. Herein, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was supplied with MeOH and water (H2O) to ensure sufficient MeOH conversion and H-2 production at low temperatures. A tube reactor loaded with a commercial Cu/Zn catalyst was installed in an electric furnace maintained at 200-250 C-circle, and MeOH and 0 wt%, 11.88 wt%, 22.51 wt%, and 32.07 wt% H2O2 were supplied. When the furnace temperature was 200 C-circle, the MeOH conversion was 49.3% at 0 wt% H2O2 but 93.5% at 32.07 wt% H2O2. The effect of adding H2O2 was greater under the temperature conditions where the MeOH conversion was 100% or less. To analyze the effect of H2O2 addition on catalyst durability, the furnace was maintained at 200 C-circle, and the reactor was continuously operated for 110 h with 0 wt% and 32.07 wt% H2O2. The addition of H2O2 did not significantly decrease the Cu/Zn catalyst durability. (c) 2021 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.