Design optimization of a molten salt heated methane/steam reforming membrane reactor by universal design analysis and techno-economic assessment

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy 2024-06, Vol.69, p.1236-1245
• Main Authors: Yang, Yong-Jian, Liu, Zhao, Zhang, Ren-Zhong, Zhang, Jia-Rui, Ma, Xu, Yang, Wei-Wei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Flowing molten salt; Membrane reactor; Methane steam reforming; Techno-economic analysis
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2024.05.045

Nowadays, the studied flowing molten salt heated methane/steam reforming membrane reactors are of roughly the same structure and vastly different sizes, which needs to be further explored with the consideration of reactor design optimization and system economy. This research investigates the effect of catalyst bed thickness, membrane tube configuration and reactor length on reactor performance under a series of operation conditions. The impact of concentrated solar thermal cost and methane cost on the levelized cost of hydrogen are focused to provide reference for the reactor design from an economic perspective. The results show that the catalyst bed thickness of 10 mm and the membrane diameter of 20 mm are appropriate for reactor design. Long membrane tube with big flow rate is more economical than the short one and its advantages in economy will be further reflected with the decreasing CST cost. [Display omitted] •A model of molten salt heated membrane reformer is developed.•The catalyst bed thickness of 10 mm is appropriate for reactor design.•Increasing the membrane diameter beyond 20 mm is not sensible.•Membrane reactors with long pipe and high flow rate are more economical.