Journal of Molecular Catalysis A: Chemical 222 (2004) 259–264 Hydrogen generation by laser transformation of methanol using n-type WO 3 semiconductor catalyst M.A. Gondal a,∗ , A. Hameed b , Z.H. Yamani a a Laser Research Laboratory, Physics Department, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Box 372, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia b Chemistry Department, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Box 372, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia Received 10 July 2004; accepted 22 August 2004 Abstract A laser based method for photocatalytic reforming of methanol at ambient temperature using n-type WO 3 semiconductor catalyst has been investigated for the first time. A non-explosive mixture of gases containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide and methane with high concentration of hydrogen was observed. The amount of catalyst and laser energy was optimized for maximum yield of hydrogen. The effect of aging of the catalyst proved that there was no deactivation of catalyst; instead, an increase in the activity of the catalyst was observed. The effect of addition of water to methanol in various proportions as feedstock on the hydrogen yield during this laser induced photocatalytic process was also studied. © 2004 Published by Elsevier B.V. Keywords: Photocatalysis; Methanol; Hydrogen; WO 3 ; Clean fuels; Fuel cells; Lasers; Laser applications; Renewable energy sources 1. Introduction Hydrogen is considered to be as an ideal and clean fuel for power generation systems with virtually zero emissions of air pollutants. It is the best candidate for replacement of conven- tional fossil fuels [1]. When reacted with oxygen, hydrogen produces only water as a by-product. Hence, hydrogen is an environmentally friendly fuel and can be used in fuel cells to power automobiles or to provide electricity and thermal en- ergy. Research in the Hydrogen Generation and Utilization is important in order to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions. This is done by developing new ways to produce hydrogen and by enhancing its utilization in fuel cells. Presently, the major processes for hydrogen production are steam reforming of natural gas, steam reforming of methanol, hydrogen from chemical industry sources (ammonia plants), direct methanol base fuel cells, gasification of coal, biomass and electrolysis of water [2–19]. ∗ Corresponding author. Tel.: +966 3860 2351; fax: +966 3860 4281. E-mail address: magondal@kfupm.edu.sa (M.A. Gondal). Steam reforming of natural gas and methanol are the most widely used industrial procedures for the production of hy- drogen at large scale. Following are the important processes for production of hydrogen on large scale: CH 4 + H 2 O → CO + 3H 2 (Steam reforming) (1) CH 4 + 1 2 O 2 → CO + 2H 2 (Partial oxidation) (2) CH 3 OH → CO + 2H 2 (Methanol reforming) (3) CO + H 2 O → CO 2 + H 2 (Water shift reaction) (4) The natural gas and methanol reformers currently in use are usually fixed-bed catalytic reactors [4] that suffer from a number of inherent problems. They operate at extreme con- ditions of temperature and pressure, with the requirement of special catalysts. Hot and cold spots are commonly encoun- tered in the catalyst bed that results in poor performance over longer period of time [5,6]. These types of reactors typically have poor response to transients and require a prolonged time to reach working temperature from cold start-up. 1381-1169/$ – see front matter © 2004 Published by Elsevier B.V. doi:10.1016/j.molcata.2004.08.022