Thermal optimisation alternatives for a WGS-membrane reactor

M.E. ADROVER; D.O. BORIO; M. N. PEDERNERA

Congreso; Novel Gas Conversion Symposium, NGCS-9; 2010

The steady-state operation of a non-isothermal multitubular membrane reactor (MR) is simulated by means of a 1-D pseudo-homogeneous mathematical model. The catalyst is packed in the shell while the H2 is collected inside the membrane tubes. The effect of the sweep gas on the performance of the MR is studied for three different flow configurations: i) saturated steam as sweep gas, ii) no sweep gas, and iii) pure H2 as sweep gas. Each studied configuration presents advantages and drawbacks. Further optimization studies are required in order to obtain maximum H2 production rate with minimum temperature and pressure increments.