Adsorption enhanced steam reforming of methanol for hydrogen generation in conjunction with fuel cell: Process design and reactor dynamics

This work focuses on a preliminary investigation of hydrogen generation using adsorption enhanced reforming (AER) of methanol in packed-bed reactors. A process design of AER in conjunction with proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is conducted using Honeywell UniSim®UniSim® Design software. A time-dependent model based on detailed reaction kinetics from the literature is developed to describe the reactor dynamics during both reforming and regeneration steps. It is shown that AER of methanol has a potential to efficiently generate hydrogen in portable fuel cell applications. Implications for ongoing experimental studies are discussed.

► Adsorption enhanced reforming of methanol in conjunction with fuel cell was designed.
► Reformer dynamics during production and regeneration steps were modeled.
► Adsorption of CO2 reduces CO in the reformate and improves the purity of H2.