Intensification of hydrogen production via methane reforming and the optimization of H2:CO ratio in a catalytic reactor with a hydrogen-permeable membrane wall

The paper provides the results of a mathematical simulation of steam reforming of methane in a tubular catalytic reactor with a hydrogen-permeable wall. The influence of temperature (800-1100 K), pressure (0.1-2.0 MPa), the thickness of a palladium membrane (0.02-1.0 mm) and some other factors on the extent of methane conversion, hydrogen production rate and hydrogen-to-carbon monoxide ratio in the syngas produced are considered. The calculations have shown that under some optimal conditions the use of catalytic reactors with hydrogen-permeable walls allows an increase in the depth of the methane conversion and an acceleration of the formation of hydrogen in this process, as well as the production of syngas with the required composition. © 1992.