Methanol steam reforming over PdZn/ZnAl2O4/Al2O3 in a catalytic membrane reactor: An experimental and modelling study

Abstract

A catalytic membrane reactor equipped with Pd–Ag metallic membranes and loaded with PdZn/ZnAl 2 O 4 /Al 2 O 3 catalytic pellets was tested for the methanol steam reforming reaction (S/C = 1) aimed at producing a pure hydrogen stream for PEM fuel cell feeding. The catalyst was prepared in two steps. First, commercial γ-Al 2 O 3 pellets were impregnated with ZnCl 2 and calcined at 700 °C to obtain a ZnAl 2 O 4 shell, and subsequently impregnated with PdCl 2 and reduced at 600 °C to obtain PdZn alloy nanoparticles. The catalyst was tested both in a conventional packed bed reactor and in a catalytic membrane reactor. A 3D CFD non-isothermal model with mass transfer limitations was developed and validated with experimental data. The reactions of methanol steam reforming, reverse water-gas shift and methanation were modeled under different pressure, temperature and feed load values. The model was used to study and simulate the CMR under different operation conditions. • PdZn/ZnAl 2 O 4 /Al 2 O 3 catalytic pellets designed for the methanol steam reforming. • Kinetic analysis in catalytic packed bed reactor and catalytic membrane reactor. • 3D CFD non-isothermal model with mass transfer limitations developed and validated. • Catalytic membrane reactor simulated under different operation conditions.