Parametric Studies of Steam Methane Reforming Using a Multiscale Reactor Model

In this work, a parametric study to verify the influence of a porous catalyst’s structural parameters on a packed bed reactor is performed through the application of a multiscale model. The set of constitutive equations for the catalytic pellet and the packed bed reactor are derived using the Reynolds Transport Theorem and applicable geometric parameters. Diffusive fluxes in the micro-scale (catalytic pellet) and the macro-scale (reactor) porous domains are calculated by using the rigorous Dusty Gas Model (DGM) and the Stefan-Maxwell equations respectively, while Chapman-Enskog theory is applied to estimate diffusion coefficients and viscosity. Simulations using the finite element method are carried out for a case study considering hydrogen production using steam methane reforming. The steam methane reforming process’ effectiveness factors are quantified considering different structural characteristics of the porous catalyst, such as volumetric porosities, tortuosity factors, solid phase conductivity, and mean pore diameter.