Dry reforming of butanol for hydrogen production has been studied by Gibbs free energy minimization method. The calculation results showed that the formation of hydrogen and carbon monoxide was through a multi-step pathway via the dehydrogenation, dehydration, decomposition and carbon dioxide reforming of butanol. The optimum conditions for hydrogen production are identified: reaction temperatures between 1150 and 1200 K and carbon dioxide-to-butanol molar ratios between 3.5 and 4.0 at 1 atm. Under the above conditions, 100% conversion of butanol, 34.91-37.98% concentration of hydrogen and 57.34-57.87% concentration of carbon monoxide could be achieved in the absence of coke formation. The butanol dry reforming with carbon dioxide is suitable for providing fuels for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC). The coke-formed and coke-free regions are found, which are useful in guiding the search for suitable catalysts for the reaction. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.