A CFD model for partial oxidation of methane over self-sustained electrochemical promotion catalyst

A multi-physical computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model coupled with detailed chemical and electrochemical processes was developed for analyzing partial oxidation (POX) of methane (CH4) over a self-sustained electrochemical promotion (SSEP) catalyst in a fixed-bed reformer. The model incorporates a conventional kinetics for POX of CH4 over the Ni component and the kinetics of the SSEP effect that is dictated by a unique microstructure of the catalyst and electrochemical properties of its components. The model also incorporates the transport processes and thermal fluxes in porous media. The CFD modeling results agrees with experimental data in the entire operation temperature range. Detailed profiles of temperature and species concentration in the catalyst bed can be calculated with this model. The model is also capable of quantifying the enhancement of POX of CH4 due to the SSEP effect. The results demonstrate that the model can be used to analyze and predict the impact of catalyst activity and operation condition on POX of CH4 over the SSEP catalyst.