Reformer and Membrane Modules for Methane Conversion: Experimental Assessment and Perspectives of an Innovative Architecture

• Published in: ChemSusChem Vol. 4; no. 8; pp. 1157 - 1165
• Main Authors: De Falco, Marcello, Salladini, Annarita, Iaquaniello, Gaetano
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim WILEY-VCH Verlag 22.08.2011; WILEY‐VCH Verlag
• Subjects: Biomass; hydrogen; Hydrogen - chemistry; industrial chemistry; membranes; Methane - chemistry; palladium; Palladium - chemistry; steam reforming
• ISSN: 1864-5631; 1864-564X
• DOI: 10.1002/cssc.201100009

An innovative concept for steam methane reforming (SMR), based on reformer and membrane modules (RMMs), has been developed and tested to investigate its performance, in terms of feed conversion, on an industrial scale. A major benefit of the proposed RMM configuration is a shift of the chemical equilibrium of SMR reactions, achieved by removing the hydrogen produced at high temperature through the integration of highly selective palladium‐based membranes, which enhances the yield of product. In this manner the process can operate at temperatures as low as 600–650 °C, compared to the 850–880 °C range used in conventional plants, and allows for the use of a low‐temperature heat source. This Full Paper discusses experimental data on feed conversion at different operating parameters, gathered during 1000 h of testing, and processes these data to optimize the overall architecture, defining the maximum achievable feed conversion. An overall conversion of 59 % is achieved with two‐step reactions at a reforming temperature of 620 °C. A conversion as high as 90 % can be obtained with a three‐step architecture at 650 °C by properly extending the design parameters within reasonable limits. Above the RMM: Reformer and palladium‐based membrane modules are the basis for a two‐step test plant with an H2 capacity of 20 Nm3 h−1, designed and constructed to investigate the potential of such a design at an industrial level. Experimental data gathered over 1000 h of testing is examined and processed in order to optimize the overall architecture.