CFD Simulations of Copper-Ceria Based Microreactor for COPROX

A CFD model of a copper-ceria based micro-reactor for the CO preferential oxidation reaction is developed. Simulations are performed by changing the thermal conductivity of the support and the oxygen inlet concentration. It is found that the value of the wall thermal conductivity has a significant role on the temperature profiles, hot-spot and selectivity. On increasing the O2 content, the CO selectivity decreases. An increase of the oxygen content anticipates the activation of the H2 oxidation, thus competing with CO oxidation. Conversely, at low values of the O2 content, the H2 oxidation is activated only after an almost complete CO oxidation is obtained. From the results it appears that the temperature control and management in the reactor is a key for increasing the CO selectivity at high CO conversion.