Development of Membrane Reactor Coupling Hydrogen and Syngas Production

Abstract

Simultaneous syngas and pure hydrogen production through partial oxidation of methane and water splitting, respectively, were demonstrated by using mixed ionic–electronic conductors. Tubular ceramic membranes prepared from La0.5Sr0.5FeO3 perovskite were successfully utilized in a 10 M lab scale reactor by applying a radial arrangement. The supply of methane to the middle area of the reaction zone was shown to provide a uniform distribution of the chemical load along the tubes’ length. A steady flow of steam feeding the inner part of the membranes was used as oxidative media. A described configuration was found to be favorable to maintaining oxygen permeability values exceeding 1.1 mL∙cm–2∙min–1 and long-term stability of related functional characteristics. Methane’s partial oxidation reaction assisted by 10%Ni@Al2O3 catalyst proceeded with selectivity values above 90% and conversion of almost 100%. The transition from a laboratory model of a reactor operating on one tubular membrane to a ten-tube one resulted in no losses in the specific performance. The optimized supply of gaseous fuel opens up the possibility of scaling up the reaction zone and creating a promising prototype of a multitubular reaction zone with a simplified sealing procedure.