Simulation Studies of the Hydrogen Production from Methanol Partial Oxidation Steam Reforming by a Tubular Packed-bed Catalytic Reactor

Hydrogen production by partial oxidation steam reforming of methanol over a Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst has been paid more and more attention. The chemical equilibria involved in the methanol partial oxidation steam reforming reaction network such as methanol partial oxidation, methanol steam reforming, decomposition of methanol and water-gas shift reaction have been examined over the ranges of temperature 473-1073 K under normal pressure. Based on the detailed kinetics of these reactions over a Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst, and from the basic concept of the effectiveness factor, the intraparticle diffusion limitations were taken into account. The effectiveness factors for each reaction along the bed length were calculated. Then important results were offered for the simulation of this reaction process.