Abstract:
Ethanol from fermentation process must be purified to 99% to meet the requirements as a fuel. Ethanol and water are azeotrope mixture, so that the separation requires larger investment and greater energy. Produce hydrogen from ethanol reforming is one solution to get another energy source in the form of environmentally friendly hydrogen gas. H2 production from ethanol has advantages when compared with other H2 production techniques. Nowdays, hydrogen is one of alternative energy source that is currently widely studied and developed as a fuel for fuel cells to generated electricity. Membrane integration of hydrogen production system by ethanol reforming can produce hydrogen gas with high purity and suitable for use as a fuel for fuel cells. There are three type of configurations involving a palladium based membrane is simulated to obtain the best type of configuration, viewed from the conversion and yield of the product. Ethanol reforming membrane reactor is the best configuration type, because it produces the best result viewed from the yield generated, amounting to 21,4%. However, it should be noted that the merger of the membrane unit with the reaction can reduce the hydrogen permeability.
