Simulation study on ceramic membrane reactor for hydrogen production

Abstract

A simulation study was carried out to elucidate the effects of membrane properties in terms of permeability and selective permeability on the design parameters of a porous ceramic membrane reactor for hydrogen production. The reaction involved was methane steam reforming. The design and operating parameters of the membrane reactors associated with four sets of membranes with different permeabilities were determined to achieve both the hydrogen production rate of 1 m3/h (stp) and the recovery efficiency of 80% at 773 K. It was found that less membrane area was required when a membrane with higher permeability value was used. However, a membrane with a higher selective permeability for hydrogen should be used if the purity of hydrogen is also regarded as one of the process objectives. The sensitivities of the main operating parameters to the reactor performance were also investigated and discussed.