Hydrogen production by solar steam reforming as a fuel decarbonization route

This chapter describes the hydrogen production by solar-powered steam reforming. This process allows some upgrading of the reformed fuel (in terms of heat value and environmental impact) and significant reduction (40-50 %) in CO2 emission to the atmosphere, with respect to the conventional steam reforming process. Additionally, solar steam reforming is presented as an emission-free process: the only carbon-containing by-product stream is well suited for the application of CCS technologies, and the overall process can also be considered as a "fuel pre-combustion decarbonization route". Application of pressurized membrane reactors for low-temperature steam reforming improves the overall process efficiency and enhances the recovery of CO2 thanks to its relatively high partial pressure in the by-product stream. The application of SERP technology for in situ CO2 separation is discussed too. © Springer-Verlag London 2013.