Modeling of an autothermal heat-integrated wall reactor for simulation of hydrogen production for fuel cell applicayions

Abstract

An autothermal, heat integrated wall reactor model for hydrogen production forvehicular fuel cell applications is investigated using computer-based simulation techniques.The two dimensional reactor model is based on a hollow cylindrical tube enclosed in a bigger one, where different catalysts for exothermic partial oxidation and endothermicsteam reforming reactions are deposited on the inside and outside surfaces of the tube. Thereaction system is developed for catalytic conversion of methane with one step chemicalkinetics. Reactor operation at different feed ratios and with different catalyst configurations is analyzed under steady state conditions. Results show that reactor efficiency is higherwhen the catalysts are placed closer as well as at high air-to-fuel and water-to-fuel ratios.