Modelling and simulation in conventional fixed-bed and fixed-bed membrane reactors for the steam reforming of methane

• A detailed mathematical pseudo-homogeneous model to the FBMR.
• Operation of Low gas superficial velocity (i.e. NRe < 1.0).
• Operation of membrane reactor as a way to move the progress of the reaction.
• The conversion level in the operation with hydrogen permeation.
• The pressure reduction in the permeation zone.

This paper presents a dynamics mathematical model to simulate the steam reforming of methane that take place in conventional fixed bed reactor (FBR) as well in fixed bed membrane reactor (FBMR) with steam added both with co-current mode. The model covers all aspects of main chemical kinetics, heat and mass phenomena in the membrane reactor with hydrogen permeation in radial direction across a Pd-based membrane. Firstly, a dynamics study was made for describing that temperatures of gaseous and solid phases reach to steady-state as well as molar flow rates. The effect several parameters including the axial position (z) divided by the reactor length Lz, reaction temperature and hydrogen partial pressure (PH2=PpzPH2=Ppz) in permeation side were investigated. The conversion of methane is significantly enhanced by the partial removal of hydrogen from the reaction zone as a result of diffusion through the Pd-based membrane. Simulation results showed that a conversion from 99.85% could be achieved in a FBMR at reaction temperature of 600 °C relative to a conversion from 88.87% to 950 °C in a FBR. Besides, results showed that the yield of H2 reached to level from 1.548 (dynamics-state) and 1.626 (steady-state) in a FBMR at reaction temperature of 550 °C while the yield of H2 achieved to level from 1.261 (dynamics-state) and 1.445 (steady-state) in a FBR at reaction temperature of 725 °C.