Methanol phase reforming

The solid liquid te., S L) path denotes a general route of converting biomass solids directly into liquid-state small molecules, usually called bio-oil. The bio-oil is then upgraded to generate high-quality liquid fuels. Approaehes following the S L path inelude pyrolysis, liquefaction, chemical hydrolysis, enzymatic hydrolysis, and methanol-phase reforming. 

The illustrated unit can be used to study vapor-phase reforming of kerosene fractions to high octane gasoline, or hydrogenation of benzene, neat or in gasoline mixtures to cyclohexane and methylcyclopentane. In liquid phase experiments hydrotreating of distillate fractions can be studied. The so-called Solvent Methanol Process was studied in the liquid phase, where the liquid feed was a solvent only, a white oil fraction. 

Shabaker, J. W. Davda, R. R. Huber, G. W. Cortright, R. D. Dumesic, J. A., Aqueous-phase reforming of methanol and ethylene glycol over alumina-supported platinum catalysts. Journal of Catalysis 2003, 215, 344. 

Aqueous phase reforming of glycerol in several studies by Dumesic and co-workers has been reported [270, 275, 277, 282, 289, 292, 294, 319]. The first catalysts that they reported were platinum-based materials which operate at relatively moderate temperatures (220-280 °C) and pressures that prevent steam formation. Catalyst performances are stable for a long period. The gas stream contains low levels of CO, while the major reaction intermediates detected in the liquid phase include ethanol, 1,2-pro-panediol, methanol, 1-propanol, propionic acid, acetone, propionaldehyde and lactic acid. Novel tin-promoted Raney nickel catalysts were subsequently developed. The catalytic performance of these non-precious metal catalysts is comparable to that of more costly platinum-based systems for the production of hydrogen from glycerol. 

Gunter et al. (2001) XAS Cu/ZnO Phase stability of copper and role of strain, redox behavior + + + Methanol steam reforming... 

Completely remove the lower (fixative) layer. Add 1 mL methanol and immediately mix it vigorously for about 15 s using a vortex mixer. As the phases reform, devitellinized embryos will sink and stay at the bottom of the tube. Remove the upper and lower layers (in this order), together with embryos that did not lose their vitelline membrane and remain floating between the two phases (see Note 7). 

Scheme 8 Aqueous-phase reforming of methanol involving three dehydrogenation steps...

Methanol would allow a transitional phase where some fuel cell vehicles use methanol, which is relatively simple to reform and would not present too big a change from our current system. However, methanol is toxic and very corrosive. Gas stations would need to be retrofitted to operate with it (new fuel tanks and fuel lines.) But, many gas station tanks are already methanol- compliant. 

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