Ceria-Based Materials for Hydrogen Production Via Hydrocarbon Steam
Reforming and Water-Gas Shift Reactions
Reforming and Water-Gas Shift Reactions
Abstract: This review paper provides an overview of the use of ceria-based catalytic materials towards the industrial
hydrogen production via the hydrocarbon steam reforming and the water-gas shift reaction routes with a focus on
representative patenting activities mainly in the last 10 years. We first introduce the basic mechanisms of catalytic
hydrocarbon steam reforming and conversion of carbon monoxide by steam towards a mixture of carbon dioxide and
hydrogen at low and high temperatures, the main synthetic approaches of ceria material and its basic structural properties
responsible for its catalytic activity exhibited towards the present reactions. In the case of hydrocarbon steam reforming,
emphasis is given on the (i) sulphur tolerance of catalysts developed, (ii) efforts to reduce the reaction temperature, (iii)
use of the “Absorption Enhanced Reforming” concept, and (iv) its application in fuel cells for power generation. In the
case of water-gas shift reaction, progress in catalyst developments for low- and high- temperature applications is
discussed. Future directions in these fields have been suggested.
Keywords: hydrogen production, CeO2-based catalysts, steam reforming of hydrocarbons, water-gas shift, WGS, auto-thermal
reforming, ATR, absorption enhanced reforming, AER, fuel cell.
hydrogen production via the hydrocarbon steam reforming and the water-gas shift reaction routes with a focus on
representative patenting activities mainly in the last 10 years. We first introduce the basic mechanisms of catalytic
hydrocarbon steam reforming and conversion of carbon monoxide by steam towards a mixture of carbon dioxide and
hydrogen at low and high temperatures, the main synthetic approaches of ceria material and its basic structural properties
responsible for its catalytic activity exhibited towards the present reactions. In the case of hydrocarbon steam reforming,
emphasis is given on the (i) sulphur tolerance of catalysts developed, (ii) efforts to reduce the reaction temperature, (iii)
use of the “Absorption Enhanced Reforming” concept, and (iv) its application in fuel cells for power generation. In the
case of water-gas shift reaction, progress in catalyst developments for low- and high- temperature applications is
discussed. Future directions in these fields have been suggested.
Keywords: hydrogen production, CeO2-based catalysts, steam reforming of hydrocarbons, water-gas shift, WGS, auto-thermal
reforming, ATR, absorption enhanced reforming, AER, fuel cell.
Life Cycle Assessment of
Hydrogen Production via
Natural Gas Steam Reforming
Hydrogen Production via
Natural Gas Steam Reforming
REVIEW OF SMALL STATIONARY
REFORMERS FOR
HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
REFORMERS FOR
HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
This report to the International Energy Agency (IEA) reviews technical options for small-scale
production of hydrogen via reforming of natural gas or liquid fuels. The focus is on small
stationary systems that produce pure hydrogen at refueling stations for hydrogen-fueled
vehicles. Small reformer-based hydrogen production systems are commercially available from
several vendors. In addition, a variety of small-scale reformer technologies are currently being
developed as components of fuel cell systems (for example, natural gas reformers coupled to
phosphoric acid or proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PAFC or PEMFC) cogeneration
systems, and onboard fuel processors for methanol and gasoline fuel cell vehicles). Although
fuel cell reformers are typically designed to produce a “reformate” gas containing 40%-70%
hydrogen, rather than pure hydrogen, in many cases they could be readily adapted to pure
hydrogen production with the addition of purification stages.
As background, we first discuss hydrogen supply options for the transportation sector; both
“centralized” (e.g. hydrogen production at a large central plant with distribution to refueling
stations via truck or pipeline) and “distributed” (hydrogen production via small-scale reforming or
electrolysis at the refueling site). Several recent studies have suggested that distributed
hydrogen production via small-scale reforming at refueling stations could be an attractive nearto
mid-term option for supplying hydrogen to vehicles, especially in regions with low natural gas
prices.
A variety of reforming technologies that might be used in distributed hydrogen production at
refueling stations are reviewed. These include steam methane reforming (SMR), partial
oxidation (POX), autothermal reforming (ATR), methanol reforming, ammonia cracking and
catalytic cracking of methane. Novel reformer technologies such as sorbent enhanced
reforming, ion transport membranes, and plasma reformers are discussed. The performance
characteristics, development status, economics and research issues are discussed for each
hydrogen production technology.
Current commercial projects to develop and commercialize small-scale reformers are described.
production of hydrogen via reforming of natural gas or liquid fuels. The focus is on small
stationary systems that produce pure hydrogen at refueling stations for hydrogen-fueled
vehicles. Small reformer-based hydrogen production systems are commercially available from
several vendors. In addition, a variety of small-scale reformer technologies are currently being
developed as components of fuel cell systems (for example, natural gas reformers coupled to
phosphoric acid or proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PAFC or PEMFC) cogeneration
systems, and onboard fuel processors for methanol and gasoline fuel cell vehicles). Although
fuel cell reformers are typically designed to produce a “reformate” gas containing 40%-70%
hydrogen, rather than pure hydrogen, in many cases they could be readily adapted to pure
hydrogen production with the addition of purification stages.
As background, we first discuss hydrogen supply options for the transportation sector; both
“centralized” (e.g. hydrogen production at a large central plant with distribution to refueling
stations via truck or pipeline) and “distributed” (hydrogen production via small-scale reforming or
electrolysis at the refueling site). Several recent studies have suggested that distributed
hydrogen production via small-scale reforming at refueling stations could be an attractive nearto
mid-term option for supplying hydrogen to vehicles, especially in regions with low natural gas
prices.
A variety of reforming technologies that might be used in distributed hydrogen production at
refueling stations are reviewed. These include steam methane reforming (SMR), partial
oxidation (POX), autothermal reforming (ATR), methanol reforming, ammonia cracking and
catalytic cracking of methane. Novel reformer technologies such as sorbent enhanced
reforming, ion transport membranes, and plasma reformers are discussed. The performance
characteristics, development status, economics and research issues are discussed for each
hydrogen production technology.
Current commercial projects to develop and commercialize small-scale reformers are described.