Production of hydrogen by the electrochemical reforming of glycerol-water solutions in a PEM electrolysis cell

An alternative method for producing hydrogen from renewable resources is proposed. Electrochemical reforming of glycerol solution in a proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis cell is reported. The anode catalyst was composed of Pt on Ru-Ir oxide with a catalyst loading of 3 mg cm(2) on Nafion. Part of the energy carried by the produced hydrogen is supplied by the glycerol (82%) and the remaining part of the energy originates from the electrical energy (18%) with an energy efficiency of conversion of glycerol to hydrogen of around 44%. The electrical energy consumption of this process is 1.1 kW h m(-3) H(2). Compared to water electrolysis in the same cell, this is an electrical energy saving of 2.1 kW h N m(3) H(2) (a 66% reduction). Production rates are high compared with comparable sized microbial cells but low compared with conventional PEM water electrolysis cells. (C) 2008 International Association for Hydrogen Energy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.