Analysis of a plate-type microreformer for methanol steam reforming reaction
Journal
Energy and Fuels
Journal Volume
23
Journal Issue
10
Pages
5092-5098
Date Issued
2009
Author(s)
Abstract
A numerical simulation is performed in this study for a plate-type microreactor with parallel microchannels and diagonal inlets/outlets. The methanol steam reforming reaction is considered, and theperformance is evaluated by examining the concentration profiles of methanol, hydrogen, and carbonmonoxide within the rector under various operating conditions, including the influences of the steam/carbon (S/C) ratio, reaction temperature, and liquid feed rate. Particularly, the effect of aspect ratio of themicrochannel on the methanol conversion rate, hydrogen generation rate, and mole fraction of carbonmonoxide in the outlet gas mixture are also explored. The results show that such a plate-type design ofmethanol microreformer may cause nonuniform reaction states in each microchannel and affect itsreforming performance significantly. It is found that these concentration nonuniformities are heavilydependent on the reaction temperature, S/C ratio, and liquid feed rate. The numerical model provides anefficient way to characterize the reforming reactions within the reactor, and the results will benefit thefuture design for a plate-type methanol microreformer. Copyright © 2009 American Chemical Society.
Other Subjects
Concentration profiles; Hydrogen generations; Liquid feed rate; Methanol conversion; Methanol steam reforming; Micro-reactor; Micro-reformers; Mole fraction; Non-uniformities; Nonuniform; Numerical models; Numerical simulation; Operating condition; Outlet gas; Parallel microchannels; Plate-Type; Reaction temperature; Aspect ratio; Computer simulation; Hydrogen production; Liquids; Methanol; Microchannels; Steam engineering; Reforming reactions
Type
journal article