Qualitative analysis of fluid dynamics and heat transfer characteristics in porous structures towards aqueous phase reforming hydrogen production

Abstract

Porous structure is commonly used as a catalytic support in the field of fixed-bed reactor for hydrogen production from methanol aqueous phase reforming. The fluid dynamics and heat transfer characteristics of the fluid in a specific porous structure are considered profound influences for catalytic reactions. This study presented a qualitative investigation on the flow and heat transfer characteristics of fluids in variable porous structures. Specifically, the discrete average interpolation method was employed to obtain the value of a continuous structure. From the results, using the area-average temperature equation was 11% (±1.5%) larger and precise than that from the previous work using traditional hydrodynamic equation. The proposed variable porous structure could not only increase the turbulence intensity of the fluid which could further enhance reaction mass transfer but also enhance the convective heat transfer of the fluidic reactants. Some of these findings could inspire the reactor design for improving catalytic efficiency of hydrogen production.