Kinetic, energetic and exergetic approach to the methane tri-reforming process

Abstract

Energetic and exergetic analyses were applied to the methane tri-reforming process in order to assess the suitability of this reaction for the production of syngas with a desirable H2/CO molar ratio for the Fischer–Tropsch process and methanol production. The kinetic equations used in the simulated plug flow reactor were obtained experimentally in a previous study using typical feed compositions of a landfill gas produced in a landfill site. A sensitivity analysis was carried out in order to select the best feed composition for the tri-reforming process. Moreover, the thermodynamic losses were identified and it was found that the exergy destruction occurs mainly in the reactor due to the high irreversibility of the chemical reactions. Finally, possible improvements were proposed in an effort to increase the exergy efficiency.