Simulation of a Compact Multichannel Membrane Reactor for the Production of Pure Hydrogen via Steam Methane Reforming

Abstract

A steady-state 2D model is developed for a multichannel membrane reactor (MCMR) to produce pure hydrogen. The model includes one reforming channel coupled with a PdAg membrane to produce H 2 and one combustion channel to generate the heat needed for the reforming. Both isothermal and non-isothermal simulations are applied in designing a laboratory-scale proof-of-concept reactor. Isothermal sensitivity analysis indicates parameter adjustments practically available to improve reactor performance. In non-isothermal simulations, catalyst layer thickness and kinetic pre-exponential factor are varied along the reactor length. Predictions indicate that the reforming methane conversion increased from 74 % to 91 %, while avoiding hot spots. Compared with other membrane reactors, the MCMR has the potential for one to two orders of magnitude higher H 2 production per reactor volume and per mass of catalyst.

Computational study of Pd-membrane CH4 steam reformer with fixed catalyst bed: Searching for a way to increase membrane efficiency

“…This is especially true for MR modeling because there is a complex interplay between mass-heat transfer and chemical reaction. For example, Vigneault et al [17] reported that single non-isothermal planar-type membrane reformer 2D simulation run took about 4 h with an Intel Zeon processor, CPU 3.0 GHz. At the same time their isothermal simulations were much faster (20 min).…”

“…Microreactor slab-type MR design was used in 2D-simulation study [17] with optimized productivity 0.9 kg(H 2 )/h/m 2 . Recently the novel type of MR, Membrane-On-Catalyst (MOC) was presented by Kume et al [18,19].…”

“…But experiments with this system under chemical reaction and membrane conditions have not been reported until now. 2D simulation study of micro-membrane reactor was done by Vigneault et al [17]. The novel concept membrane-on-catalyst (MOC) was experimentally tested by Kume et al.…”

Environmental Engineering and Sustainable Development

“…: from fixed bed to fluidized bed by Grace and co-workers in UBC (e.g. : Abo-Ghander et al, 2012 ;VIgneault et al, 2012;Grace, 2015;etc. ) and Elnashaie and co-workers in Auburn University and UBC (e.g., Elnashaie and Elshishini, 1996;Chen and Elnashaie, 2004;Elnashaie and Uhlig, 2007;Elnashaie, 2008;etc.…”

Performance Research on a Methane Compact Reformer Integrated with Catalytic Combustion

“…The integration process is usually performed by using a plate or monolithic reactor with multiple catalyst‐coated channels. Recently, numerous research papers have reported on the application of plate reformers (reforming reactors) to the MSR reaction because, compared with the two previous techniques, the plate reformers contain unique characteristics, such as small volume, high surface area, low resistence to heat and mass transfer, short contact time, scale‐up potential, and generally low capital costs 12–16. The plate reactors must have the ability to supply the heat required for the reforming reaction without any external heat source, along with a relatively high thermal efficiency.…”