LAUSR

Abstract Chemical looping reforming (CLR) is a recent trend for syngas production, which has several merits compared to the conventional manner. One of the most important issues for CLR is to find low-cost material as oxygen carriers, so iron is a promising candidate. This paper contributes to testing the thermodynamic ability of iron-based oxygen carrier for chemical looping reforming of ethanol (CLRE). Iron thermodynamically investigated in temperature 100−1300 °C and excess oxygen number (Φ) 0−4. It was found that the temperature and Φ have an apparent effect on the gaseous composition produced from the process. Increases in temperature within the range of 100−1300 °C enhanced syngas generated and reduced coke formation and CH4. Whereas, increased Φ, particularly at higher temperatures, had also enhanced syngas production as well as reduced coke formation. However, increasing Φ for values beyond one had decreased syngas and not significantly reduced coke deposition. Moreover, an experimental investigation was carried out in a fixed bed reactor for more in-depth verification of iron ability as an oxygen carrier through using magnetite ore (mainly Fe3O4). It found that the effect of temperature on syngas production was consistent with that calculated thermodynamically, as syngas increased with raising the temperature through the CLRE.