Efficient reactor concepts for coupling of endothermic and exothermic reactions

Multifunctional autothermal reactors are a novel concept in process integration and intensification. They can be implemented as a countercurrent or reverse-flow reactor. A promising field of application is the coupling of endothermic and exothermic reactions. Methane steam reforming coupled with methane combustion is considered as a particular example. Several novel reactor configurations with co-and countercurrent flow in the reaction zone will be discussed by numerical simulation and an example for experimental verification will be presented. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.