This work focused on chemical looping reforming (CLR) of ethanol-containing wastewater using iron-based oxygen carrier for high ratio H-2/CO syngas. Effects of various operating parameters on CLR experiments have been investigated. High temperature promotes the reactivity of oxygen carrier and release more lattice oxygen for CLR of ethanol-containing wastewater to realize maximum carbon conversion. 5% ethanol-containing wastewater, closed to the actual concentration of alcohol distillery wastewater, favors syngas yield. Ethanol-containing wastewater CLR processes could be divided into three stages, including the catalytic cracking, combination of catalytic cracking and reforming, and mainly catalytic reforming of ethanol, corresponding to three reduction periods Fe2O3 -> Fe3O4, Fe3O4 -> Fe2O2.(453) and Fe2O2.45 -> FeO, respectively. The whole process of ethanol-containing organic wastewater CLR is exothermic. Reaction heat released from the oxidation process of the reduced oxygen carrier can meet heat demand for CLR process. Ethanol containing organic wastewater CLR opens up a new direction for hydrogen generation and waste treatment. (C) 2018 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.