Simulation Study of Radial Heat and Mass Transfer Inside a Fixed Bed Catalytic Reactor

Abstract

A rigorous two-dimensional model is developed for simulating the operation of a less-investigated type steam reformer having a considerably lower operating Reynolds number, higher tube diameter, and non-availability of extra steam in the feed compared with conventional steam reformers. Simulation results show that reasonable predictions can only be achieved when certain correlations for wall to fluid heat transfer equations are applied. Due to severe operating conditions, in all cases, strong radial temperature gradients inside the reformer tubes have been found. Furthermore, the results show how a certain catalyst loading profile will affect the operation of the reformer. Keywords—Steam Reforming, Direct Reduction, Heat Transfer, Two-Dimensional Model, Simulation I. INTRODUCTION TEAM reforming is the reaction of a hydrocarbon, especially methane, with the oxidants water vapor and/or carbon dioxide to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The chemical reactions taking place in catalytic methane reforming are numerous, among which four reactions are more probable under the reforming conditions (Hyman, 1968): CH4 + H2O ↔ CO + 3H2