Low Temperature Solar-driven Biogas Steam Reforming in a Membrane Reactor

Abstract

A prototype for a low temperature solar-driven biogas steam reforming process was designed by coupling a hydrogen selective membrane reactor and linear Fresnel collector technology. To verify the prototype, the membrane reactor model was established by using ASPEN Plus and was studied using a modelled biogas in the temperature range 450 to 500oC. The methane conversion was significantly enhanced by applying the H2 selective membrane. Based on the actual Direct Normal Irradiation in South Africa, the capability of linear Fresnel collector was verified for the required heat duty in this study, which varying from 90.1 to 366.4 kW/m2. This novel work constitutes a reference study for new developments with reactor designs and solar energy application in biogas steam reforming processes.