Title page for ETD etd-042811-105735

Document Type thesis

Author Name ROUX, Jean-Francois

URN etd-042811-105735

Title Membrane Reactor Modeling for Hydrogen Production through Methane Steam Reforming

Degree MS

Department Chemical Engineering

Advisors
Nikolas Kazantzis, Advisor
David DiBiasio, Department Head

Keywords
methane steam reforming
modeling

Date of Presentation/Defense 2011-04-28

Availability unrestricted

Abstract
A mathematical modeling framework for the methane steam reforming reaction operating in steady state has been developed. Performances are compared between the classic catalytic packed bed reactor and a Pd-based catalytic membrane reactor.
Isothermal simulations on MATLAB Â© has first been conducted and show a higher performance of the membrane reactor over the packed bed reactor. Methane conversion of 1 can be reached for lower temperatures than used with industrial PBR, and better performances are shown for an increase in the operating pressure. Optimum conditions were defined for Temperature (500-600 Celsius), reaction side pressure (16-40 bars), membrane thickness (1-7 micrometers), steam/methane ratio (3-4), reactor length (5-10 meters) and permeate sweep ratio (20 or more). This model was validated by multiple recognized sources.
Adiabatic simulations were conducted in order to develop a mathematical model base for non-isothermal simulations. The membrane reactor is again showing a higher conversion of methane compared to the packed bed reactor, however the heat loss due to the membrane and the hydrogen leaving through the tube is decreasing the performances of the MR over the PBR compared to the isothermal case. Results show also that most of the reaction occurs at the very beginning of the reactor.

Files
Thesis_April_2011.pdf

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Document Type	thesis
Author Name	ROUX, Jean-Francois
URN	etd-042811-105735
Title	Membrane Reactor Modeling for Hydrogen Production through Methane Steam Reforming
Degree	MS
Department	Chemical Engineering
Advisors	Nikolas Kazantzis, Advisor David DiBiasio, Department Head
Keywords	methane steam reforming modeling
Date of Presentation/Defense	2011-04-28
Availability	unrestricted
Abstract A mathematical modeling framework for the methane steam reforming reaction operating in steady state has been developed. Performances are compared between the classic catalytic packed bed reactor and a Pd-based catalytic membrane reactor. Isothermal simulations on MATLAB Â© has first been conducted and show a higher performance of the membrane reactor over the packed bed reactor. Methane conversion of 1 can be reached for lower temperatures than used with industrial PBR, and better performances are shown for an increase in the operating pressure. Optimum conditions were defined for Temperature (500-600 Celsius), reaction side pressure (16-40 bars), membrane thickness (1-7 micrometers), steam/methane ratio (3-4), reactor length (5-10 meters) and permeate sweep ratio (20 or more). This model was validated by multiple recognized sources. Adiabatic simulations were conducted in order to develop a mathematical model base for non-isothermal simulations. The membrane reactor is again showing a higher conversion of methane compared to the packed bed reactor, however the heat loss due to the membrane and the hydrogen leaving through the tube is decreasing the performances of the MR over the PBR compared to the isothermal case. Results show also that most of the reaction occurs at the very beginning of the reactor.
Files	Thesis_April_2011.pdf