Simulation Study Of Methane Autothermal Reforming For Hydrogen Production

Abstract

Hydrogen production from an autothermal system is mathematically investigated using one-dimensional steady state fixed bed model. A series of simulation is analyzed at different operating parameters which are inlet temperature, operating pressure and steam to methane feed ratio at a fixed oxygen to methane ratio. The results revealed that an excess steam restricted hydrogen production by lowering the bed temperature which is important to drive endothermic steam reforming. An increase of reactor pressure after 3 atm slightly affected methane conversion and this could be beneficial in membrane reactor system. Higher inlet temperatures also showed an increase in hydrogen production but as far as catalyst constraint is concern, it has to be wisely control. The result showed that a maximum fraction of Hz-CO can be achieved at operating pressure of 3 atm, a feed temperature of 850 K and water to methane ratio of 3.