Numerical simulation of configuration and catalyst-layer effects on micro-channel steam reforming of methanol

A micro-reactor with eight non-parallel channels is proposed to improve the performance of micro-channel steam reforming of methanol. The widths of some channels in the micro-reactor vary gradually along the reactor length direction. The Zn–Cr/CeO2–ZrO2 catalyst is coated in the reformer with a certain porosity and permeability. The effects of micro-reactor structures and catalyst-coated manners on several factors are studied, including temperature distributions, velocity distributions, reactant concentrations and the methanol conversion rate. The results indicate that such a structure with a certain entrance inclination angle and channel inclination angle guarantees flow distribution uniformity in each reforming channel. Flow distribution uniformity is conducive to the increase of the methanol conversion rate. Besides, in order to measure strengths and weaknesses of different catalyst-coated manners, a wall-coated reformer and a packed-bed reformer are studied respectively. It is found that compared to the packed-bed reformer, the temperature and the methanol conversion rate in wall-coated reformer are far higher. It is necessary to find an optimal catalyst thickness that is able to reduce the CO concentration because the catalyst thickness can affect CO concentration in the product gases indirectly. The optimal inclination angles and the catalyst thickness are proposed based on the simulating results.

► Micro-reactor with non-parallel channels for steam reforming of methanol.
► Entrance inclination guarantees flow distribution uniformity in reforming channels.
► Wall-coated reformer and packed-bed reformer are compared.