Alcohol reforming hydrogen yield

From Esters.—A second method of preparation similar to the first is to treat an ester with ammonia. In this reaction the alkyl-oxy radical of the ester reforms alcohol by means of one hydrogen from the ammonia and the acyl radical unites with the residue of the ammonia yielding the amide. 

The reforming process (as applied to a hydrocarbon or alcohol) yields a product stream that consists predominantly of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, water, unconverted feedstock, and trace by-products. This product stream mixture, called reformate, is unsuitable for direct use in low-temperature PEMFC and AFC, and some trace by-products (notably organosulfur compounds) will poison both high-temperature fuel cells and low-temperature fuel cells. A membrane for separating and purifying hydrogen from reformate must also be chemically compatible with the compounds in the reformate stream. 

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