Transport phenomena in a steam-methanol reforming microreactor with internal heating

An experimental and theoretical study of steam reforming of methanol is carried out in a packed-bed microreactor with internal heating. Experimental results of the methanol conversion and carbon monoxide concentration in an internally heated reformer are compared with those of an externally heated reformer. Higher methanol conversion and carbon monoxide concentration are obtained for internal heating at the same conditions. The results show the conversion efficiency of methanol and CO concentration increase with increasing internal heating rate over the range of operating conditions. A correlation for the conversion efficiency of methanol has been obtained as a function of the internal heating rate and a dimensionless time parameter which represents the ratio of the characteristic time of the methanol flow to the time for chemical reaction. (C) 2008 International Association for Hydrogen Energy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.