NUMERICAL MODELLING OF THE ENDOTHERMIC PROCESS OF THE STEAM REFORMING OF METHANE IN A FIXED BED REFORMER

Abstract

Thermochemical Packed-Bed (TPB) reformer has been substantially studied
in the past years as a promising equipment to investigate the
thermochemical conversion of methane (CH4). This work has as main
objective a theoretical modelling to describe the process variables of Steam
Reforming of Methane (SRM) method in the TPB reformer. The TPB
reformer is filled with β-SiC open-cell foam where the thermochemical
conversion of CH4 is carried out. The model variables describe the specific
aims of work and these objectives can be identified from each equation of
the developed mathematical model. This work has been proposed to study
two specific aims as (i) the effective thermal conductivity's effect of the
solid phase (λs,eff.) and (ii) molar flows of chemical components. The
endothermic reaction temperature's profiles are notably increased as the
numeral value of λs,eff. is raised. The Steam Reforming of Methane (SRM)
method is suggested to improve the Production Rate (PR) of H2 regarding
the PR of CO. As results, the PR of H2 is of 29.48% while the PR of CO is
of 2.76%.