Structured ZoneFlow™-Bayonet steam reforming reactor for reduced firing and steam export: Pressure drop and heat transfer modelling and evaluation of the reactor performance

Minette, Florent; Almeida, Luis Calamote de; Feinstein, Jonathan S.; Wilde, Juray De

doi:10.1016/j.ceja.2022.100258

Cited by 7 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 24 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The double-tube configuration achieved higher methane conversion and lower reactor outlet temperature, mainly because of the additional recovery of reformate heat. Furthermore, in a study by Minette et al [26], the installation of an insert in the inner core of a double tube enhanced the heat transfer, facilitating additional heat recovery from the reformate while incurring only a minor increase in the pressure drop.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Numerical Evaluation of Heat Transfer and Conversion Efficiency by Tube Design and Flow Configuration for a Compact Steam-Methane Reformer

Koo,

Kang,

et al. 2023

Energies

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In the chemical industry, hydrogen (H2) production through steam-methane reforming is a well-established process. With the growing demand for H-fueled vehicles and charging stations, there is a need for compact reformers with efficient heat transfer capabilities. In this study, computational fluid dynamics simulations were performed to evaluate the methane (CH4) conversion and heat transfer efficiency of various reformer designs. These designs include single, double, and triple tubes, each with parallel- and counter-flow configurations between the reformate feed and heat source. The findings revealed substantial disparities in methane conversion between the tube designs and flow configurations. Notably, the triple-tube design outperforms single and double tubes, exhibiting higher methane conversion and improved heat transfer efficiency. This superior performance is attributed to the larger wall area facing the heat source and additional heat recovery from the reformate flowing in the inner annulus. This led to the highest temperature at the catalyst exit among the cases, increasing methane conversion, and the lowest reformate temperature at the reformer tube exit, which is also beneficial for the subsequent water–gas shift reaction process. Installing external fins on the reformer tube provided a more effective enhancement of heat transfer than using internal fins in the catalyst section. Regardless of the tube design employed, the counter-flow configuration consistently enhanced the heat transfer efficiency, resulting in 4.6–11.9% higher methane conversion than the parallel-flow configuration. Consequently, the triple-tube design with the counter-flow configuration achieved the highest methane conversion, offering flexibility in the reformer design, including the potential for lower heat input and a reduced catalyst volume.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%