Multi-objective optimization of steam methane reformer in micro chemically recuperated gas turbine

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy 2024-04, Vol.62, p.307-320
• Main Authors: Zhang, Haoqi, Fan, Fengxian, Huang, Diangui, Han, Dong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chemically recuperated gas turbine; Micro gas turbine; Multi-objective optimization; Reformer optimization; Steam methane reforming
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2024.03.074

A kinetic theory, known as the Langmuir–Hinshelwood–Hougen–Watson adsorption model, is applied to describe the steam methane reforming (SMR) in a 500 kW scale micro chemically recuperated gas turbine (CRGT) cycle. The response surface models of important performance parameters, including the methane conversion, carbon monoxide selectivity, and chemically recuperated heat as a function of the temperature, pressure, steam-to-carbon ratio, and contact time are numerically obtained based on the cases selected by the central composite design. The factors affecting the SMR performance are analyzed, and the reformer performance is optimized using both the desirability function combined with the response surface methodology and the second generation non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm. Finally, performance of the optimized reformer and electrical efficiency of the micro CRGT cycle with the reformer are evaluated. Results reveal that the efficiency of the micro CRGT is 40.70%, which is much higher than the typical high-efficiency micro gas trubine without reformer. [Display omitted] •Steam methane reforming kinetics in micro chemically recuperated gas turbine.•Analyses of factors affecting reforming performance using response surface method.•Reformer optimizing by desirability function combined with response surface method.•Reformer optimizing by a second generation non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm.•Micro gas turbine cycle with the optimized reformer has an efficiency of 40.70%.