CFD simulation of Pd-based membrane reformer when thermally coupled within a fuel cell micro-CHP system

Comparison between fixed bed and fluidized bed membrane reactor configurations for PEM based micro-cogeneration systems

“…In this section, the effect of a prevailing axial temperature profile on the required membrane area is evaluated. Experimentally, it has been shown that the assumption of isothermal condition is reasonably correct in a fluidized bed reactor [28], while it is mostly incorrect for packed bed configurations as also shown in a recent work, where a detailed 2D CFD model for a tubular packed bed MREF was developed [42]. A correct evaluation of the temperature profile is fundamental, because exceeding the maximum temperature which depends on the membrane deposition technology adopted, layer thickness and support, often results in pinhole formation on the membrane surface with a pronounced decrease of membrane selectivity [33].…”

“…Moreover, according to simulations for the packed bed reactor concept as the one shown in Fig. 4a, the temperature profile along the reacting side is more pronounced than the pressure profile [42]. From Fig.…”

“…The 2D-CFD model [42] was adapted to obtain the temperature profiles along the reacting side and over the membrane for four specific conditions as defined in Table 5. For this model, the NG is assumed as pure methane.…”

“…In this reactor, the feed stream and the hot gas were fed in co-current direction, as shown in Fig. 4a, since this configuration was shown to give a higher performance for the membrane reactor [42]. .…”

Performances of a micro-CHP system fed with bio-ethanol based on fluidized bed membrane reactor and PEM fuel cells

“…The adoption of fluidized catalytic bed is advantageous for the membrane reactor because it overcomes the typical limits of fixed beds, such as not uniform temperature distribution, large pressure drops and mass transfer limitations (from the bulk phase to the surface of hydrogen perm-selective membranes), by promoting mixing on macro and micro scales [39,40].…”