Steam reforming of ethanol (SRE) on a Ni/Al2O3 catalyst was studied. The effects of the operating conditions and catalyst nature on the course of reaction were evaluated. Hydrogen was generated in the temperature range between 100 and 600 degrees C. A mechanism was used to explain the reaction pathways. A commercial hydrotalcite-like sorbent arranged in a multilayer pattern of catalyst and sorbent was used for CO2-uptake to enhance hydrogen production. The concept of sorption enhanced reaction process on SRE is illustrated by the operation of catalyst and CO2-sorbent at 400 degrees C. A lower flow rate regime and multilayer pattern system enhances hydrogen production in the initial breakthrough periods. CO appears in traces in the product gas stream. (c) 2011 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering