The evaluation of methane mixed reforming reaction in an industrial membrane reformer for hydrogen production

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy Vol. 43; no. 32; pp. 15321 - 15329
• Main Authors: Jokar, Seyyed Mohammad, Parvasi, Payam, Basile, Angelo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 09.08.2018
• Subjects: CO2 consumption; Hydrogen production; Industrial membrane reformer; Mixed reforming; CO2 consumption; Industrial membrane reformer; Mixed reforming; Hydrogen production
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2018.06.142

In this work, the performance of an industrial dense PdAg membrane reformer for hydrogen production with methane mixed reforming reaction was evaluated. The rate parameters of mixed reforming reaction on a Ni based catalyst optimized by using the experimental results. One-dimensional models have been considered to model the steam reforming industrial membrane reformer (SRIMR) and mixed reforming industrial membrane reformer (MRIMR). The models are validated by experimental data. The proficiency of MRIMR and SRIMR at similar conditions used as a basis of comparison in terms of temperature, methane conversion, hydrogen yield, syngas production rate and CO2 flow rate. Results revealed that the methane conversion, hydrogen yield and syngas production rate in MRIMR is considerably higher than SRIMR. Furthermore, the operation temperature of MRIMR could be 195 °C lower than that for SRIMR. This would contribute to a major decrease in process costs as well as a reduction in catalyst sintering. On the other hand, although MRIMR consumes CO2, the exited CO2 flow rate at the SRIMR is three times more than that of at the MRIMR, which is a main advantage of MRIMR from the environmental issues point of view. •The performance of a mixed reforming industrial membrane reformer is investigated.•The mixed reforming reaction rate parameters on a Ni based catalyst was optimized.•The steam and mixed reforming membrane reformers are modeled and optimized.•Higher methane conversion and hydrogen yield achieved in mixed than steam reforming.•CO2 flowrate at steam reforming reactor exit is 3 times more than mixed reforming.