Hydrogen production from bioethanol fuel mixtures via exhaust heat recovery in diesel engines: a promising route towards more energy efficient road vehicles

Musbahu Umar, Hadi Nozari, Marcela Menezes, Martin Herreros, Chia-Sheng Lau, Athanasios Tsolakis

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Abstract

Bioethanol has been considered a potential alternative to the conventional fossil fuels in transportation sector as well as a hydrogen carrier. This study proposes a thermochemical recovery pathway to extend the use of bioethanol in compression ignition engines through catalytic exhaust gas reforming of ethanol-biodiesel-diesel blends into hydrogen. The aim is to improve the heat recovery of the engine exhaust gas and increase the on-board production of hydrogen which can potentially partially replace the diesel fuel in the engine. Results indicate that the effectiveness of the reforming process mainly depends on the blend composition, reforming temperature, and oxygen to carbon ratio (O/C). It is deduced that ethanol content in the fuel blend has a key role in sustaining catalyst activity and hydrogen production. Overall, the study highlights the positive impact and practicality of recovering exhaust heat using the ethanol-biodiesel-diesel blends. This implementation can result in noticeable improvements in emission reduction of diesel powertrains once the reformate is fed back into the engine.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)23603-23614
Number of pages12
JournalInternational Journal of Hydrogen Energy
Volume46
Issue number46
Early online date18 May 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 6 Jul 2021

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
In Memoriam Musbahu Umar (1975–2013). ESPRC is acknowledged for supporting this work with the project “ FACE - Novel Integrated Fuel Reformer-Aftertreatment System for Clean and Efficient Road Vehicles ” (ESPRC: ref. EP/P03117X/1 ). Johnson Matthey is acknowledged for providing the reforming catalysts as part of the CREO project.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC

Keywords

  • Ethanol blends
  • Exhaust heat recovery
  • Fuel reforming
  • Hydrogen
  • Thermochemical recovery

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • Fuel Technology
  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

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