Experimental study of a membrane assisted fluidized bed reactor for H2 production by steam reforming of CH4

Hydrogen is emerging as a future alternative for mobile and stationary energy carriers in addition to its use in chemical and petrochemical applications. A novel fluidized bed membrane reactor has been proposed. where both Pd-based H-2 perm-selective membranes and perovskite O-2 perm-selective membranes are integrated in two sections, a partial oxidation bottom section and a reforming/shift top section because of the difference in operating temperature of the respective membranes. An experimental study has been carried out to test and validate the reforming/shift top section of this new reactor concept, which operates at conditions differing from conventional steam reformers (viz. lower temperatures and no excess steam). The effects of integrating Pd-based H-2 perm-selective membrane in the fluidized bed on the CH4 conversion, the product H-2 and product CO2 purity and the power output of the processor have been measured for different operating conditions.