Development of a Methane Steam Reformer Using an Electrically Heated Alumite Catalyst: Start-Up Performance Investigated by the Numerical and Experimental Analysis

A cylindrical methane steam reformer using an electrically heated alumite catalyst (EHAC), i.e., Ni/Al2O3/Alloy catalyst, was introduced in this work. The relevant 2D dynamic model has been developed to reveal the key factors to improve the reformer's performance in concepts of heat and mass transfer. Various strategies to improve the reformer's reaction and start-up performance were discussed by numerical investigations. Based on the simulation results, the cylindrical reformer was experimented. The experimental results showed that the reformer has a fast start-up and quick response for the load fluctuation by the internal heating through the EHAC.