Experimental and Theoretical Comparison of Two Types of Hydrogen-Permselective Membrane Reactor for Methane Steam Reforming

Abstract

To compare the experimental data of the membrane reactors with results of simulation, two types of hydrogen-permselective membranes, ZrO₂/SiO₂ composite membrane and Pd membrane, were prepared and installed in a reactor for methane steam reforming, respectively. Hydrogen permeation mechanisms through ZrO₂/SiO₂ composite membrane indicated Knudsen diffusion and that through Pd membrane indicated solution diffusion transport. Comparison with the experimental and simulation data showed a good agreement. The results of numerical analysis based on the obtained exergy of product and the total exergy supplied in the reaction system showed that the exergy loss of hydrogen production using a hydrogen-permselective membrane reactor for methane steam reforming process at the lowest was 30-50% less than that of a conventional process.