Properties of methane autothermal reforming to generate hydrogen in membrane reactor based on thermodynamic equilibrium model

Abstract

Methane reforming reaction is one of the most important industrial chemical processes for hydrogen production. Membrane reactor has better performance of methane reforming reaction, can effectively increase methane conversion and hydrogen yield. To utilize this technology more effectively, it is necessary to develop a better understanding of the process of hydrogen generation and the effects of various parameters on the performance of membrane reactor. The characteristics of methane autothermal reforming to generate hydrogen in membrane reactor are studied with the thermodynamic equilibrium model. The results show that increasing permeate side pressure leads to reducing methane conversion and hydrogen permeability. Retentate side pressure has little effect on methane autothermal reforming reaction. The increase of air-methane molar ratio leads to a lower hydrogen production. The hydrogen production increases firstly and then decreases with the elevated steam-methane molar ratio. The H2/CO molar ratio can be regulated by the steam-methane molar ratio. Methane autothermal reforming occurs much more easily when temperature of 973 K, retentate side pressure and permeate side pressure of 0.1 MPa and 0.02 MPa, and the molar ratio of air-methane and steam-methane of 1 and 2 respectively.