Membrane assisted WGSR – Experimental study and reactor modeling

An experimental program on membrane assisted WGSR and a membrane reactor (MR) modeling aimed at finding a sensitivity envelope of the key parameters controlling MR performance was carried out using bitumen and coke–coal gasification streams at 450 °C. It was determined that a Langmuir–Hinshelwood (LH) model of the kinetics fit adequately the conventional reactor (CR) experimental data. To simulate the MR performance the LH kinetic parameters were applied to MR data that showed a 7% enhancement of CO conversion over the CR. The model predicted that by adjusting the MR operating parameters within reasonable limits, the CO conversions in the range of 98% could be reached, at least 15% over the thermodynamic equilibrium conversion of a conventional system.

► Langmuir–Hinshelwood (LH) equation parameters determined for conventional WGS reactor.
► WGS membrane reactor data simulated using LH parameters for same catalyst.
► H2O permeance through silica membrane and CO2 inhibition of catalyst accounted for.
► Catalyst amount needed to bring system to equilibrium in membrane reactor resolved.
► Operating parameters of WGS membrane reactor for complete CO conversion at 450 °C projected.