Catalyst, reactor, reaction mechanism and CO remove technology in methanol steam reforming for hydrogen production: A review

Methanol steam reforming (MSR) for hydrogen production is a significant and promising clean energy technology. So, a comprehensive review focused on the analysis of high-temperature reforming, low-temperature reforming, autothermal reforming, and CO removal in MSR is conducted. The selection and design of catalysts play a crucial role in enhancing the efficiency and stability of MSR, which can improve the selectivity of methanol decomposition and hydrogen generation, and reduce the occurrence of side reactions. The optimized reactor design and better thermal management technology effectively reduce heat loss and achieve high energy efficiency in methanol autothermal reforming. Furthermore, gaining profound insights into the reaction mechanisms plays a pivotal role in guiding catalyst development and reactor enhancements, which is instrumental in addressing catalyst deactivation, catalyst longevity, and undesired side reactions. CO removal technology plays a pivotal role in the hydrogen production process of MSR. It is employed to eliminate CO impurities, thus enhancing the purity of the hydrogen production. This review contributes valuable insights into high-purity hydrogen production, catalyst stability improvement, and key challenges linked to CO removal in MSR, facilitating advancements in hydrogen technology.