Kinetics study and modelling of steam methane reforming process over a NiO/Al2O3 catalyst in an adiabatic packed bed reactor

S.Z Abbas,V Dupont,T Mahmud

doi:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2016.11.093

S.Z Abbas, V Dupont + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2016.11.093

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Abstract

Kinetic rate data for steam methane reforming (SMR) coupled with water gas shift (WGS) over an 18 wt. % NiO/α-Al2O3 catalyst are presented in the temperature range of 300–700 °C at 1 bar. The experiments were performed in a plug flow reactor under the conditions of diffusion limitations and away from the equilibrium conditions. The kinetic model was implemented in a one-dimensional heterogeneous mathematical model of catalytic packed bed reactor, developed on gPROMS model builder 4.1.0®. The mathematical model of SMR process was simulated, and the model was validated by comparing the results with the experimental values. The simulation results were in excellent agreement with the experimental results. The effect of various operating parameters such as temperature, pressure and steam to carbon ratio on fuel and water conversion (%), H2 yield (wt. % of CH4) and H2 purity was modelled and compared with the equilibrium values.

Highlights

Increasing energy demand, depletion of fossil fuel reserves and pollution threats make hydrogen (H2) an attractive alternative energy carrier
The objective of this paper is to study the kinetics of the steam methane reforming (SMR) process over 18 wt. % Ni/a-Al2O3 catalyst, and implement these kinetics in a 1-dimensional non-ideal plug flow heterogeneous model of the process in a laboratory-scale adiabatic packed bed reactor
Mathematical Modelling plays an important role in the development of a chemical reactor

Summary

Introduction

Increasing energy demand, depletion of fossil fuel reserves and pollution threats make hydrogen (H2) an attractive alternative energy carrier. H2 is widely considered as the fuel of the future due to its capability to drive the generation of electricity without emitting harmful pollutants [1]. At present H2 is the basic raw material for fertilizer industries especially for ammonia production as well as a necessary co-reactant for many refinery processes [2e5]. The oil refineries use a large quantity of H2 in hydrocracking, hydrotreating, lubrication and isomerization processes [6]. With the passage of time it may become a general purpose carrier of energy for electricity, power generation and in vehicles as a transportation fuel [7e9]. When H2 is burnt, the only product is water vapour, without greenhouse gas or any pollutant such as SOx, soot and particular matters emitted in the environment [10e12]

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