Electrochemical reforming of ethylene glycol. Influence of the operation parameters, simulation and its optimization

A compact pure hydrogen production process was developed based on the electrochemical reforming of ethylene glycol–water mixtures by using a low temperature proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis cell. A bimetallic 40% Pt–20% Ru carbon based anode and a 20% Pt carbon based cathode were used for the PEM electrochemical reforming experiments. The main operation parameters (applied current, feed stream flow rate, concentration and temperature) were experimentally studied and optimized to enhance the hydrogen production rate. As a result and based on the experimental data, a complete integrated process was proposed and simulated by Aspen HYSYS software. Considering the energy requirements of the different units of the process, an energetic evaluation of the whole system was carried out by integrating the experimental current–potential data. Thus, material and energy balances of the overall process have been calculated for each of the possible current-working conditions. Hence, the optimal operating conditions, which led to the highest energetic efficiency of the system (57%) were attained at a current density of 0.08 A/cm2, leading to a total energy consumption of 17.14 kwh kg− 1H2. The analysis presented in this paper also offers a better understanding of the characteristics of a PEM electrochemical plant for hydrogen production.