Numerical analysis of methanol steam reforming reactor heated by catalytic combustion for hydrogen production

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy 2022-04, Vol.47 (32), p.14469-14482
• Main Authors: Mao, Xiang, Li, WeiZhao, Yuan, Ya, Yang, LuWei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Catalyst distribution; Flow arrangement; Methanol catalytic combustion; Methanol steam reformer; Thermal management
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2022.02.221

Thermal coupling of endothermic and exothermic reactions is an important pathway for integrated thermal management within a methanol steam reforming reactor heated by methanol catalytic combustion. In this study, a numerical model is developed for heat and mass transfer calculations, methanol steam reforming and catalytic combustion reactions, which is used to explore the effects of design parameters on compact parallel channel reactor performance. Efficiency of the integrated reactor is optimized by the coupling of endothermic and exothermic reactions using conventional wall material. Temperature uniformity is improved by the adjustment of the flow arrangement and the catalyst distribution. This work provides an effective energy management strategy and tool which can be adopted in the design of portable hydrogen generation systems. [Display omitted] •A methanol steam reforming reactor heated by combustion is numerically studied.•The coupled heat and mass transfer processes with reactions are analyzed.•A heat management method based on heat balance is studied.•Co-current is a more suitable flow arrangement compared with counter-current.•Catalyst distribution is an effective way to improve temperature uniformity.