Process Modelling, Thermodynamic Analysis and Optimization of Dry Reforming, Partial Oxidation and Auto-Thermal Methane Reforming for Hydrogen and Syngas production

Abstract

In this work, process modelling, thermodynamic analysis and optimization of stand-alone dry and partial oxidation reforming of methane as well as, the auto-thermal reforming processes were investigated. Firstly, flowsheet models were developed for both the stand-alone systems and auto-thermal reforming process using ASPEN HYSYS ® . Furthermore, thermodynamic studies were conducted for the stand-alone and auto-thermal reforming processes for temperatures range of 200-1000°C and pressure range of 1-3 bar using Gibbs free energy minimization methods which was also performed using ASPEN HYSYS ® . The simulation of the auto-thermal reforming process was also performed at 20 bar to mimic industrial process. Process parameters were optimized in the combined reforming process for hydrogen production using desirability function. The simulation results show that 84.60 kg/h, 62.08 kg/h and 154.7 kg/h of syngas were produced from 144 kg/h, 113 kg/h and 211 kg/h of the gas fed into the Gibbs reactor at CH 4 /CO 2 /O 2 ratio 1:1:1 for the stand-alone dry reforming, partial oxidation reforming and auto-thermal processes respectively. Equilibrium conversion of CH 4 , CO 2 , O 2 were thermodynamically favoured between 400 and 800°C with highest conversions of 100%, 95.9% and 86.7% for O 2 , CO 2 and CH 4 respectively. Highest yield of 99% for H 2 and 40% for CO at 800°C was obtained. The optimum conditions for hydrogen production were obtained at CH 4 /CO 2 , CH 4 /O 2 ratios of 0.634, 0.454 and temperature of 800°C respectively. The results obtained in this study corroborate experimental studies conducted on auto-thermal reforming of methane for hydrogen and syngas production.

Artificial Intelligence Modelling Approach for the Prediction of CO-Rich Hydrogen Production Rate from Methane Dry Reforming

“…The methane dry reforming process is highly endothermic [30]. Therefore, the reaction is favored by a high temperature >900 K [31]. Although, the mechanism of the methane dry reforming reaction is Catalysts 2019, 9, 738 4 of 20 strongly dependent on the nature of the catalyst, it is generally believed that the reaction commences with the activation of CH 4 and CO 2 being adsorbed on the catalyst active sites [32].…”

Process analysis of solar steam reforming of methane for producing low-carbon hydrogen

“…30 Furthermore, Gibbs free energy minimization methods via Aspen Hysys was developed to numerically investigate the thermodynamic analysis and optimization of dry and partial oxidation and auto-thermal (combined DR and POX) reforming processes at temperatures range of 200-1000 C and pressure range of 1-3 bar. 31 The effect of several parameters including the process temperature, operating pressure, catalyst weight loading, and mass ratio of feed gas on the process of steam reforming of NG has been studied to perform hydrogen production. The kinetic-based simulation model of steam methane reforming and WGS reaction for hydrogen production was performed in Aspen Plus.…”

Biogas Reforming to Syngas: A Review

“…The conversions of CH 4 and CO 2 increased with the temperature increase, but the rate of conversion increase was slower at higher 2B) (Chen et al, 2017). Ayodele and Cheng (Ayodele and Cheng, 2015) found that the yield of H 2 and CO increased with increased temperature from 200 C to 1,000 C. However, the syngas formation was not thermodynamically favored at 200-400 C (Ayodele and Cheng, 2015).…”