Chemical looping reforming of ethanol-containing organic wastewater for high ratio H2/CO syngas with iron-based oxygen carrier

This work focused on chemical looping reforming (CLR) of ethanol-containing wastewater using iron-based oxygen carrier for high ratio H₂/CO syngas. Effects of various operating parameters on CLR experiments have been investigated. High temperature promotes the reactivity of oxygen carrier and release more lattice oxygen for CLR of ethanol-containing wastewater to realize maximum carbon conversion. 5% ethanol-containing wastewater, closed to the actual concentration of alcohol distillery wastewater, favors syngas yield. Ethanol-containing wastewater CLR processes could be divided into three stages, including the catalytic cracking, combination of catalytic cracking and reforming, and mainly catalytic reforming of ethanol, corresponding to three reduction periods Fe₂O₃ → Fe₃O₄, Fe₃O₄ → Fe₂O_2.45, and Fe₂O_2.45 → FeO, respectively. The whole process of ethanol-containing organic wastewater CLR is exothermic. Reaction heat released from the oxidation process of the reduced oxygen carrier can meet heat demand for CLR process. Ethanol-containing organic wastewater CLR opens up a new direction for hydrogen generation and waste treatment.