Modeling of a Non-Isothermal Fixed Bed Reactor: 1D Model for Hydrogen Production by Steam Methane Reforming

Abstract

A numerical study was conducted to assess the overall heat transfer coefficient for exterior/reactor convection energy transfer in a steady-state, one-dimensional, pseudo-homogeneous, non-isothermal model of hydrogen production by steam methane reforming (SMR). The study primarily focuses on comparing a catalytic packed-bed reactor (PBR) with a Pd-based catalytic membrane reactor (MR). A selectively permeable Pd-based membrane is utilized to extract hydrogen from the reaction zone, promoting a shift in the thermodynamic equilibrium towards hydrogen production and facilitating higher methane conversion. The hydrogen is then transported away by a sweep gas, typically H₂O. The mathematical models were simulated using MATLAB. Additionally, the influence of key operating parameters was investigated using comprehensive reactor models.