Low Temperature Methanol Reforming

Description:

Traditional methanol steam reforming (MSR) is an effective hydrogen production method but requires high temperatures and significant energy input. Recent advances in homogeneous catalysis have demonstrated the feasibility of methanol reforming at temperatures below 100 °C. Integrating such low-temperature methanol reforming with low-temperature proton-exchange membrane (LT-PEM) hydrogen fuel cells offers the potential for more energy-efficient systems compared to conventional high-temperature configurations.

This MSc project will investigate the boiling behavior of methanol–water mixtures across varying compositions and base concentrations using ebulliometry (boiling point measurements). The data obtained will inform the design of a low-temperature methanol reforming reactor and assess its compatibility with hydrogen fuel cells. Specifically, the study aims to identify solvent mixtures that ensure stable operation and optimal catalytic performance.

The most promising solvent compositions will be evaluated in hydrogen generation experiments using the Ru–MACHO catalyst. In addition to assessing hydrogen output, attention will be given to understanding key intermediate species that play a role in the reaction mechanism. Insight into these intermediates will help clarify the reaction pathways and support optimization.

While initial tests will be conducted at atmospheric pressure, validation under elevated pressures (9–10 bar) will be essential. This pressure range reflects realistic operating conditions required for effective downstream gas purification. Pressurized testing will determine whether findings from atmospheric conditions are transferable to practical applications.

Supervisors:

Louis van der Ham (daily supervisor) - a.g.j.vanderham@utwente.nl
Sander Roosjen (supervisor) - s.roosjen@utwente.nl

The assignment mostly consists of experimental work in the high-pressure laboratory.

Activities:

Literature Review & Background Research
Experimental Design & Planning
Ebulliometric Measurements
Catalytic Experiments (Atmospheric Conditions)
Catalytic Experiments (Pressurized Conditions)
Reactant & Product Analysis
Reactor Design & Energetic Integration

References:

M. Nielsen, E. Alberico,W. Baumann, et al. “Low-temperature aqueous-phase methanol dehydrogenation to hydrogen and carbon dioxide”. In: Nature vol. 495, no. 7439 (2013), pp. 85–89. doi: 10.1038/nature11891.