Catalytic reforming of natural gas for hydrogen production in a pilot fluidized-bed membrane reactor: Mapping of operating and feed conditions

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy Vol. 36; no. 17; pp. 10727 - 10736
• Main Authors: Mahecha-Botero, Andrés, Boyd, Tony, Gulamhusein, Ali, Grace, John R., Lim, C. Jim, Shirasaki, Yoshinori, Kurokawa, Hideto, Yasuda, Isamu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Alternative fuels. Production and utilization; Applied sciences; Composition effects; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; Fluidized-bed membrane reactor; Fluidizing; Fuel cells; Fuels; Hydrogen; Membranes; Methane; Natural gas; Pilots; Reactors; Reforming; Steam methane reforming; Membranes; Fluidized-bed membrane reactor; Hydrogen; Fuel cells; Natural gas; Steam methane reforming; Methane; Fluidized bed reactor; Experimental test; Hydrocarbon; Composition effect; Gas pressure; Catalytic reforming; Operating conditions; Membrane reactor; Membrane; Steam reforming; Fuel cell; Hydrogen production; Fluidized bed
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2011.05.178

A fluidized-bed membrane reformer was operated in two independent laboratories to map various operating conditions, to investigate the effects of changing the composition of the natural gas feed stream and to verify earlier experimental trials. Two feed natural gases were tested, containing either 95.5 or 90.1 mol% of methane (3.6 or 9.9 mol% of other gaseous higher hydrocarbons). Experimental tests investigated the influence of total membrane area, reactor pressure, permeate pressure and natural gas feed rates. A permeate-H 2-to reactor natural gas feed molar ratio >2.3 was achieved with six two-sided membrane panels under steam reforming conditions and a pressure differential across the membranes of 785 kPa. The total cumulative reforming time reached 395 h, while hydrogen purity exceeded 99.99% during all tests. [Display omitted] ► A fluidized-bed membrane reformer was operated in two independent laboratories. ► Feed natural gas contained either 95.5 or 90.1 mol% of CH 4 (3.6 or 9.9 mol% of higher hydrocarbons). ► A permeate-H 2-to reactor natural gas feed molar ratio >2.3 was achieved. ► The total cumulative reforming time reached 395 h. ► High purity hydrogen was produced for fuel cells (purity above 99.99%).