Steam Reforming of Acetic Acid: Response Surface Modelling and Study of Factor Interactions

Steam reforming of biomass bio-oil is a technique of producing bio-hydrogen which is an important biofuel. Acetic acid is a major constituent of biomass bio-oil especially its aqueous phase. In this study, the thermodynamic analysis of the steam reforming of acetic acid was considered in conjunction with the utilising of a novel statistical approach. Response surface methodology was used to elucidate possible interactions of the process factors and be used to develop regression models for the prediction of percentage molar yield of each species given a known set of inputs. The correlations were validated for the prediction of % molar composition of the product chemical species in the product stream. These correlations are of great relevance as it affords quick predictions given a known set of factors.