GTI Converts Ethanol into Hydrogen

GTI Converts Ethanol into Hydrogen

Ethanol produced from corn grown in the Midwest could be providing hydrogen for the fuel cell vehicles of tomorrow, according to the Gas Technology Institute (GTI), which recently announced that its two-step steam reforming-shift fuel processor can efficiently convert ethanol into hydrogen. For the past six months, GTI engineers have been performing internal research to demonstrate the potential of its fuel processor technology to generate hydrogen from a variety of renewable fuels.

“We believe GTI is now strongly positioned to develop and deploy both stationary and transportation energy systems utilizing ethanol to hydrogen reformation,” stated Gerry Runte, executive director, GTI Hydrogen Systems Center. “We were able to produce a high-quality hydrogen gas from ethanol--similar to results using natural gas--and demonstrated our process to representatives of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA).”

“We believe ethanol can play an important role in fueling the future hydrogen economy,” remarked Bob Dinneen, president, RFA. “Ethanol has been proven to be more efficient and easier to reform into hydrogen than gasoline. And as a domestic, renewable fuel, ethanol used for hydrogen will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance energy security compared to fossil fuels.”

One GTI goal is to utilize ethanol as the primary fuel to produce hydrogen in a hydrogen fueling station platform similar to the natural gas-to-hydrogen station being developed by GTI under a United States Department of Energy sponsored program. GTI is also pursuing the use of ethanol for stationary fuel cell demonstrations.

GTI is working with industry partners to commercialize hydrogen fueling station systems and would like to expand that work to include systems that utilize ethanol to produce hydrogen. “It is likely that a variety of feed stocks will be used to produce distributed hydrogen depending on the region of the country. Certainly, there can be benefits to utilizing renewable fuels like ethanol, particularly in the Midwest,” said William Liss, Director of Hydrogen Systems, GTI.

GTI’s fuel processor technology uses minimum components for low cost and simplicity. This includes an optional passive carbon monoxide (CO) control system that consistently produces less than 4 ppm CO without requiring complicated control systems. The unit is adaptable to use either fuel cell anode recycle gas or pressure swing adsorption off-gas recovery for efficient supplemental heat generation.