Hydrogen production in membrane microreactor using chemical looping combustion: A dynamic simulation study

The current work presents modeling and simulation of a membrane micro-fixed bed reactor to produce and separate hydrogen. In contrast to commonly hydrogen production in chemical looping reforming (CLR), hydrogen is produced here in a reduction cycle of chemical looping combustion without employing steam. After validating the model with experimental data found in the literature, the adapted mathematical model was employed to study the performance of membrane microreactor. The results show that employing membrane assisted chemical looping combustion for reduction cycle, not only separate the valuable hydrogen, but it also increases total hydrogen production. Two dimensional model shows that diffusion fluxes, both axial and radial are important in the microreactor. Temperature analysis shows that total hydrogen production is decreased by increasing temperature. By contrary, permeate flux passing through the membrane is increased at elevated temperatures. More hydrogen may be produced by using a membrane with higher permeability and employing a high surface to volume membrane microreactor.