Process Intensification of the Hydrogen Production Reaction Using a Carbon Membrane Reactor: Kinetics Analysis

Abstract

Plate carbon membranes were fabricated and coupled into a membrane reactor to intensify the steam reforming of methanol (SRM). The homemade Cu‐based catalyst and carbon membranes were characterized by using thermogravimetric analysis, X‐ray diffraction, N2 adsorption, and gas permeation. The effects of the reaction temperature, reactor type, and carbon membranes on the methanol conversion and hydrogen yield were investigated. The results show that the coupling of carbon membranes in the reactor improves the methanol conversion significantly. In addition, both the methanol conversion and reaction rate increase, and the hydrogen yield first decreases then increases as the reaction temperature was elevated from 220 to 300 °C. This indicates that both thermodynamic and kinetic factors contribute to the intensification of SRM in the carbon membrane reactor.

Absorption-Enhanced Methanol Steam Reforming for Low-Temperature Hydrogen Production with Carbon Capture

“…However, Pd-based membranes tend to suffer from hydrogen embrittlement at low temperatures, making it difficult to apply at 200 • C and below [22]. Other membrane materials, such as carbon membranes [23] and silica membranes [24], are usually associated with poor selectivity for H 2 , which means it is difficult to obtain high-purity H 2 directly. In addition, from the perspective of industrialization, the high energy consumption required for adequate hydrogen permeation rates [25], the sensitivity of membrane materials [26], and the high cost of membrane reactors [25] have limited the practical application of membrane reactors.…”

Uniformity control and ultra‐micropore development of tubular carbon membrane for light gas separation

“…Materials used in membrane reactors must have excellent thermal and chemical stability as well as high gas permeation and separation efficiency, among other characteristics 7,8 . Carbon molecular sieve (CMS) membranes, which have a unique porous structure and pore size distribution, generally exhibit high perm‐selectivity and have been recognized as a potential material for membrane reactors 9‐13 . CMS membranes are usually synthesized by pyrolysis of a polymer precursor at high temperatures 14‐16 by adjusting precursor selection, 17‐19 type of pyrolysis protocol, 20‐22 and post‐pyrolysis treatment 23‐25 .…”