Computational fluid dynamics model on a compact-type steam methane reformer for highly-efficient hydrogen production from natural gas

Abstract

Abstract A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model for compact-type steam methane reformer (SMR) was proposed for highly-efficient hydrogen production from natural gas. The compact-type SMR included two domains: the combustor at the center for supplying the reaction heat demand and sleeve-shape reactor with a catalyst for steam methane reforming reactions. The k − e realizable turbulence model and discrete ordinates (DO) method of radiative transfer equation (RTE) were employed to the CFD model. A catalyst volume-based reactions mechanism from literatures was adopted for steam methane reforming reactions at the sleeve-shape porous catalyst zone. The CFD model results were validated with our experiment data and other studies on SMR in terms of the temperature profile, producer gas compositions, production rate, heating efficiency, and wall heat flux. Pressure, temperature, flow stream lines, producer gas compositions, and reaction rates were then analyzed. The present compact type SMR reactor showed a flatter heat flux profile than conventional reactor designs in literatures.