Numerical analysis of hydrogen production by methanol and methane steam reforming using compact reactors

Abstract

The steam reforming performance of methane and methanol in compact reactors in marine environments are investigated by using numerical models. Optimal operation conditions and output performances are evaluated for various exhaust and reformer temperatures. The marine diesel engine is utilized as a heat source to reactors. In addition, an external heater provided the required heat to the exhaust and reformer inlet gases by controlled temperature. Two reactor types, namely single-turn and double-turn, are evaluated for their heat transfer and reforming performances. The reformer output rates of H2, CO2, H2O, CH4 and CH3OH chemical species are determined for steam methane reformer and methanol steam reformer reactors for both reactor types and a wide range of temperatures. The results indicate that methanol steam reformers have a higher hydrogen production potential compared to steam methane reformer reactors at low temperatures. The hydrogen production in methanol steam reformer reactors increased by approximately 55% and 66% for single-turn and double-turn reformer reactors for 700 0 C and 900 0 C inlet temperatures. Alternative hydrogen production solutions can be developed on marine platforms with the novel reformer geometries proposed in this study.