Exergy Analysis of Oxidative Steam Reforming of Methanol for Hydrogen Producton: Modeling Study

Abstract

Abstract Hydrogen production by oxidative steam reforming of methanol in a fixed bed catalytic reactor was modeled and simulated. The addition of O 2 to feed reduced the temperature in the reformer. 99.86% conversion was obtained at 550 K and S/C molar ratio of unity in steam reforming while it is at 540 K in oxidative steam reforming. Although H 2 and CO yields were decreased in oxidative steam reforming in comparison to steam reforming, the reductoin H 2 yield was note significant whereas reduction in CO was appreciably high. The thermal and exergy efficiencies were favored by reforming temperature and S/C molar ratios. However, variation in S/C molar ratio showed negligibly small effect on efficiencies. The reforming temperature had a notable influence on the efficiencies. The exergy destruction was found to be lower at higher temperature and S/C molar ratio. Thus, oxidative steam reforming of methanol at 540 K and S/C molar ratio of unity utilizes sufficient amount of input energy in the form of useful work and thermodynamic irreversibilities in the reactor are quantitatively small.