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Updated: Jun 9, 2025

Hydrogen Production and Utilization in a Membrane Reactor
Published on: March 10, 2023
Thermal and Sono-Aqueous Reforming of Alcohols for Sustainable Hydrogen Production
Choon Wee Kee1, Jia'E Zheng1, Wei Jie Yap1
1Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy and Environment (ISCE2), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 1 Pesek Road, Jurong Island, Singapore 627833, Singapore.
Abstract:
Hydrogen is a clean-burning fuel with water as its only by-product, yet its widespread adoption is hampered by logistical challenges. Liquid organic hydrogen carriers, such as alcohols from sustainable sources, can be converted to hydrogen through aqueous-phase reforming (APR), a promising technology that bypasses the energy-intensive vaporization of feedstocks. However, the hydrothermal conditions of APR pose significant challenges to catalyst stability, which is crucial for its industrial deployment. This review focuses on the stability of catalysts in APR, particularly in sustaining hydrogen production over extended durations or multiple reaction cycles. Additionally, we explore the potential of ultrasound-assisted APR, where sonolysis enables hydrogen production without external heating. Although the technological readiness of ultrasound-assisted or -induced APR currently trails behind thermal APR, the development of catalysts optimized for ultrasound use may unlock new possibilities in the efficient hydrogen production from alcohols.
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