Methanol steam reforming kinetics using a commercial CuO/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst: Simulation of a reformer integrated with HT-PEMFC system

This study provides a kinetic examination of methanol steam reforming (MSR) over a Cubased commercial catalyst (CuO/ZnO/Al2O3, Alfa Aesar) as a function of CH3OH and H2O partial pressures at 246 & DEG;C and 1 atm in a once-through flow reactor. A power rate law was used to best describe the experimental rate data by linear and non-linear regressions at the operating conditions where transport bottlenecks were eliminated. Comparison of the rate parameters indicated that a strong correlation was suggested by non-linear regression giving reaction orders of 0.29 for methanol and 0.09 for water along with a frequency factor of 53.48 (molCH3OH s-1 gcatalyst-1 kPa-0.38) and an activation energy of 65.59 kJ mol-1. A simulation study of the rate equation to analyze an integrated system of a reformer and an HT-PEMFC was also conducted. The results demonstrate that the system has the potential to produce 15 W power output. & COPY; 2023 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study investigates the kinetics of methanol steam reforming (MSR) using a commercial catalyst (CuO/ZnO/Al2O3) in a once-through flow reactor. The effects of methanol and water partial pressures on the reaction rate were examined. A power rate law was utilized to describe the experimental data, and a non-linear regression analysis revealed reaction orders of 0.29 for methanol and 0.09 for water, with a frequency factor of 53.48 (molCH3OH s-1 gcatalyst-1 kPa-0.38) and an activation energy of 65.59 kJ mol-1. Additionally, a simulation study was conducted to analyze the rate equation of an integrated system, which showed the potential to produce 15 W power output.