Steam methane reforming in a microchannel reformer: Experiment, CFD-modelling and numerical study

This paper is devoted to the investigation of the steam methane reforming process in a microchannel reformer over a Ni-based catalyst. The composition of reforming products and temperature at a reformer outlet was measured experimentally as well as with the help of CFD-modeling and numerical study. The presented new direct numerical method for modeling of steam methane reforming. The study of steam methane reforming was performed for the inlet temperatures (T-in) of 600-1000 K, for R-e = 10, 50,100, and heat flux through the walls of q(w) = 1000 W/m(2) and q(w) = 500 W/m(2). It was found that the methane conversion in the reformer decreases with increasing Reynolds number, heat flux through the wall, and inlet temperature. For R-e = 10, q(w) = 1000 W/m(2) and T-in = 1000 K the methane conversion is 39% while equilibrium methane conversion is 63%. The temperature profiles in the reaction zone were determined. The temperature of the reaction mixture monotonically increases for all Reynolds numbers. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study investigated the steam methane reforming process in a microchannel reformer using experimental methods, CFD modeling, and numerical study. The results showed that methane conversion decreases with increasing Reynolds number, heat flux, and inlet temperature.