Steam reforming of simulated pre-reformed naphtha in a PdAu membrane reactor

Process intensification in a membrane reactor is an efficient and compact way to produce hydrogen. A methane-rich gas mixture that simulated the composition of pre-reformed naphtha (PRN; with a steam-to-carbon ratio of 2.7) was reformed at temperatures of 550 degrees C-625 degrees C and pressures up to 40 barg. The reactor contained commercial steam reforming catalyst anda 14.8 cm long, 2.6 mu m thick Pd-1.8Au (wt. %) membrane on a porous alumina support. Methane conversions approaching 90% were obtained in the membrane reactor at a gas-hourly space velocity of 676 h(-1), compared to <= 30% conversion at the same conditions in conventional reactor mode (CM) without withdrawing hydrogen through the membrane. The results were compared to steam methane reforming (SMR) in the mem-brane reactor at similar conditions. The nitrogen leak through the membrane increased slowly during the testing, because of both pinhole formation and some leakage through the end seals. (c) 2021 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Process intensification in a membrane reactor is an efficient and compact way to produce hydrogen, with methane conversions approaching 90%. Compared to conventional reactors, membrane reactors can achieve higher conversion rates in a shorter time. However, nitrogen leakage through the membrane may gradually increase during testing due to pinhole formation and leakage through end seals.