Progress of Cryogenics and Isotopes Separation , ISSN: 1582-2575
2012, Volume 15, Issue 2

Parametrical Study of Steam Methane Reforming in a Membrane Reactor

Abstract

The aim of this paper is the parametric investigation of methane steam reforming to synthesis gas in a membrane reactor. Steam methane reforming in a membrane reactor is investigated in this paper using ANSYS Fluent software. The influence of some parameters on mass and heat transfer is analyzed. Thus, the influence of pressure, inlet temperature from the reforming area and velocity of the sweep gas was considered.

Two domains were taken into account in our simulation (reforming and permeating areas) while the membrane was considered one dimensional. The simulations carried out intended to establish the maximum value of temperature in the sweep area of the porous membrane reactor, close to the inner permeation tubes, because a 450C maximum value of temperature is required for long life and maximum performance of these tubes. Also, an optimum velocity for the sweep gas and an optimum pressure in the reforming area was searched by simulations carried out.