The partial oxidation of methane to syngas in a palladium membrane reactor: simulation and experimental studies

Abstract

Among numerous potential applications of inorganic membrane reactors, the partial oxidation of methane (POM) may offer an alternative route, with respect to steam reforming of methane, for producing synthesis gas. Inorganic membrane reactors are considered to be multifunctional reactors because they are able to combine catalytic reactions with membrane separation properties. In particular, dense palladium membranes are characterised by the fact that: (1) only hydrogen might permeate through them; (2) both Arrhenius and Sievert laws are followed. In this investigation, a dense palladium membrane reactor (PMR) concept is analysed referring both to experimental data and to simulation study. The partial oxidation of methane (POM) reaction to produce synthesis gas was chosen as a model reaction to be investigated. A membrane reactor model that includes the membrane, the gas phase and the catalyst activity is proposed. The experimental results in terms of methane conversion obtained by using a pin-hole free palladium membrane permeable to hydrogen only were compared with model predictions. The effect of reaction temperature on methane conversion at different time factors and sweep gas flow rates was considered. In particular, the effects of temperature profiles on the methane conversion are taken into account in the kinetic model.