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Effects of reaction chamber geometry on the performance and heat/mass transport phenomenon for a cylindrical methanol steam reformer

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  • Perng, Shiang-Wuu
  • Horng, Rong-Fang
  • Ku, Hui-Wen

Abstract

This study utilizes the SIMPLE-C algorithm and Arrhenius form of reaction model to simulate the three-dimensional laminar flow field and the reaction in a cylindrical methanol reformer under steam reforming. Then the effect of geometrical and thermo-fluid parameters on the heat and mass transfer, the methanol conversion as well as the performance of hydrogen production in a cylindrical methanol reformer with a specified volume of catalyst bed will be investigated in the present study. The results indicate that the smaller diameter-to-length ratio (D/L) of reformer with a larger catalyst bed thickness (LCB) enhances the methanol conversion and hydrogen production, in which, the best methanol conversion efficiency of 85.49% and hydrogen concentration of 48% (in wet base) were obtained at LCB=15mm (D/L=0.08), porosity ε=0.3, and wall temperature equal to 300°C. Furthermore, the increase of the inlet fuel temperature improves the hydrogen production. That is, when the inlet temperature is 140°C, high hydrogen concentration of 55% (in wet base) of was achieved.

Suggested Citation

  • Perng, Shiang-Wuu & Horng, Rong-Fang & Ku, Hui-Wen, 2013. "Effects of reaction chamber geometry on the performance and heat/mass transport phenomenon for a cylindrical methanol steam reformer," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 317-327.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:103:y:2013:i:c:p:317-327
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2012.09.045
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wu, Horng-Wen & Ku, Hui-Wen, 2011. "The optimal parameters estimation for rectangular cylinders installed transversely in the flow channel of PEMFC from a three-dimensional PEMFC model and the Taguchi method," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(12), pages 4879-4890.
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    8. Perng, Shiang-Wuu & Wu, Horng-Wen, 2011. "Non-isothermal transport phenomenon and cell performance of a cathodic PEM fuel cell with a baffle plate in a tapered channel," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(1), pages 52-67, January.
    9. Liu, Qibin & Hong, Hui & Yuan, Jianli & Jin, Hongguang & Cai, Ruixian, 2009. "Experimental investigation of hydrogen production integrated methanol steam reforming with middle-temperature solar thermal energy," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 86(2), pages 155-162, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Perng, Shiang-Wuu & Horng, Rong-Fang & Wu, Horng-Wen, 2017. "Effect of a diffuser on performance enhancement of a cylindrical methanol steam reformer by computational fluid dynamic analysis," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 206(C), pages 312-328.
    2. Perng, Shiang-Wuu & Chien, Tsai-Chieh & Horng, Rong-Fang & Wu, Horng-Wen, 2019. "Performance enhancement of a plate methanol steam reformer by ribs installed in the reformer channel," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 167(C), pages 588-601.
    3. Ouyang, Kwan & Wu, Horng-Wen & Huang, Shun-Chieh & Wu, Sheng-Ju, 2017. "Optimum parameter design for performance of methanol steam reformer combining Taguchi method with artificial neural network and genetic algorithm," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 446-458.
    4. Perng, Shiang-Wuu & Wu, Horng-Wen, 2022. "Influence of inlet-nozzle and outlet-diffuser mounted in the plate-shape reactor on PEMFC net power output and methanol steam reforming performance," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 323(C).
    5. Kim, Taegyu & Jo, Sungkwon & Song, Young-Hoon & Lee, Dae Hoon, 2014. "Synergetic mechanism of methanol–steam reforming reaction in a catalytic reactor with electric discharges," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 1692-1699.

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