Adsorption enhanced steam reforming of methanol for hydrogen generation in conjunction with fuel cell: Process design and reactor dynamics

Abstract

This work focuses on a preliminary investigation of hydrogen generation using adsorption enhanced reforming (AER) of methanol in packed-bed reactors. A process design of AER in conjunction with proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is conducted using Honeywell UniSim ® Design software. A time-dependent model based on detailed reaction kinetics from the literature is developed to describe the reactor dynamics during both reforming and regeneration steps. It is shown that AER of methanol has a potential to efficiently generate hydrogen in portable fuel cell applications. Implications for ongoing experimental studies are discussed.