(374at) Syngas Production Via Steam Reforming of Crude Glycerol

In the past decade, biodiesel production has increased dramatically. One of the major by-products of biodiesel production is crude glycerol. Crude glycerol is a poor fuel and expensive to refine. As a result of this quantity rise, the price of crude glycerin has plummeted in the past five years to the point where biodiesel companies have to pay to dispose of it. This leads to an increased cost of biodiesel production. So, the question that arises is what should be done with this glut of crude glycerol? One method that has shown promise is to use steam reforming techniques on glycerin to produce synthesis gas (a hydrogen/carbon monoxide mixture) or more precisely hydrogen gas, which can provide clean, combustible energy. Ideally, this fuel could then be used to provide power to the biodiesel plants where biodiesel is produced.