Investigation of packed conductive foams as a novel reactor configuration for methane steam reforming

Balzarotti, Riccardo; Ambrosetti, Matteo; Beretta, Alessandra; Groppi, Gianpiero; Tronconi, Enrico

doi:10.1016/j.cej.2019.123494

Cited by 49 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 43 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In view of distributed syngas and hydrogen production, an increasing demand of small-scale applications is apparent, however, key technological limitations hinder the direct scaledown of the MSR technology (Balzarotti et al, 2020). By using noble metal catalysts, at the small scale heat transfer in packed bed reactors becomes the bottleneck of the process, strongly limiting its productivity (Donazzi et al, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Numerical Investigation of Electrically-Heated Methane Steam Reforming Over Structured Catalysts

et al. 2021

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The use of electric energy as an alternative system to provide heat of reaction enables the cut-off of CO2 emissions of several chemical processes. Among these, electrification of steam methane reforming results in a cleaner production method of hydrogen. In this work, we perform for the first time a numerical investigation of a compact steam reforming unit that exploits the electrical heating of the catalyst support. First, for such unit we consider the optimal thermodynamic conditions to perform the power to hydrogen conversion; the process should be run at atmospheric pressure and in a close temperature range. Then, among possible materials currently used for manufacturing structured supports we identify silicon carbide as the best material to run electrified steam reforming at moderate voltages and currents. The temperature and concentration profiles in idealized units are studied to understand the impact of the catalyst geometry on the process performances and open-cell foams, despite lower surface to volume show the best potential. Finally, the impact of heat losses is analyzed by considering different operative conditions and reactor geometries, showing that it is possible to obtain relatively high thermal efficiencies with the proposed methodology.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Numerical Investigation of Electrically-Heated Methane Steam Reforming Over Structured Catalysts

et al. 2021

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Recently, Tronconi et al proposed and tested in MSR an innovative fixed bed reactor configuration, consisting in small catalytic pellets filling the voids of highly conductive metallic open-cell foams [93]. The aim was to enhance the radial heat transfer of the tubular reactor by using a high thermal conductivity solid.…”

Section: Metallic Carriersmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Short Review on Ni Based Catalysts and Related Engineering Issues for Methane Steam Reforming

2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Hydrogen is an important raw material in chemical industries, and the steam reforming of light hydrocarbons (such as methane) is the most used process for its production. In this process, the use of a catalyst is mandatory and, if compared to precious metal-based catalysts, Ni-based catalysts assure an acceptable high activity and a lower cost. The aim of a distributed hydrogen production, for example, through an on-site type hydrogen station, is only reachable if a novel reforming system is developed, with some unique properties that are not present in the large-scale reforming system. These properties include, among the others, (i) daily startup and shutdown (DSS) operation ability, (ii) rapid response to load fluctuation, (iii) compactness of device, and (iv) excellent thermal exchange. In this sense, the catalyst has an important role. There is vast amount of information in the literature regarding the performance of catalysts in methane steam reforming. In this short review, an overview on the most recent advances in Ni based catalysts for methane steam reforming is given, also regarding the use of innovative structured catalysts.

show abstract

“…The use of structured catalysts, obtained by coating highly conductive carriers, with the catalytic formulation, provide a flattening of radial thermal profile on the catalytic bed, thus lowering the outside temperatures [13]. Alternatively, it has also been proposed to fill the voids of highly conductive open cell metal foams with small catalytic pellets, in order to exploit the radial heat transfer of the tubular reactor, due to the thermal conductivity of the interconnected solid matrix, while avoiding the washcoating of metal structures [25]. An inversion of the reactor configuration has been proposed, in which heat is provided from within the structure, so the reforming reaction is directly sustained by using the electrically driven SiC-based structured catalyst, obtained by washcoating a SiC heating element, without any external heat source [26].…”

Section: Methane Steam Reformingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Main Hydrogen Production Processes: An Overview

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Due to its characteristics, hydrogen is considered the energy carrier of the future. Its use as a fuel generates reduced pollution, as if burned it almost exclusively produces water vapor. Hydrogen can be produced from numerous sources, both of fossil and renewable origin, and with as many production processes, which can use renewable or non-renewable energy sources. To achieve carbon neutrality, the sources must necessarily be renewable, and the production processes themselves must use renewable energy sources. In this review article the main characteristics of the most used hydrogen production methods are summarized, mainly focusing on renewable feedstocks, furthermore a series of relevant articles published in the last year, are reviewed. The production methods are grouped according to the type of energy they use; and at the end of each section the strengths and limitations of the processes are highlighted. The conclusions compare the main characteristics of the production processes studied and contextualize their possible use.

show abstract

Investigation of packed conductive foams as a novel reactor configuration for methane steam reforming

Cited by 49 publications

References 43 publications

A Numerical Investigation of Electrically-Heated Methane Steam Reforming Over Structured Catalysts

A Numerical Investigation of Electrically-Heated Methane Steam Reforming Over Structured Catalysts

A Short Review on Ni Based Catalysts and Related Engineering Issues for Methane Steam Reforming

Main Hydrogen Production Processes: An Overview

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About