Proposal for effective stacking method of structured catalyst

Abstract

In this study, a micro–partition (MP), structure with micro–scale fins and holes made of aluminum was stacked as a structured catalyst. The effect of this stacking on the reactivity of a methanol steam reforming reaction was examined. The reactivity was improved by promoting the fluid mixing effect in the reactor by the stacking of the characteristic MP structure. However, the reactivity was reduced when the number of MP catalysts (MPCs) to be stacked was increased and packed densely. Moreover, it was suggested that the reactivity could be improved by investigating the factors of the effective stacking method for a catalytic reaction. We proposed the MPC stacking method in terms of the number, position, distance, and orientation of MPCs, such that the fluid mixing effect was promoted and MPC worked uniformly, based on a numerical simulation. The effect of the proposed stacking method on the reactivity was experimentally demonstrated.