Hydrogen production by gasification of isooctane using supercritical water

The production of hydrogen by gasification of isooctane, a model compound of gasoline, was investigated in a continuously operated tubular reactor under supercritical water conditions without using any catalyst. Various experimental conditions, feed inlet temperature (80-412 degrees C), residence time (8-16 s), reactor temperature (593-694 degrees C), feed concentration (15-23 wt%), and oxidant concentration (0-2300 mmol/L) at a fixed pressure of 25 MPa, were examined in detail. Hydrogen peroxide was used as the oxidant. The major components of the produced gas were H(2), CH(4) and CO(2) and the minor components of the produced gas were CO and C(2)H(6). As residence time, isooctane concentration, and reactor temperature increased, H(2), CH(4), and CO(2) gas yield increased while CO gas yield did not change much. Possible reaction pathways at each experimental condition are presented.