Production of Hydrogen from Methanol by Capillary Action in a Packed Catalyst Bed

Abstract

Heating of the upper portion of a vertical tube packed with the porous particles supporting a catalyst where the bottom is immersed in liquid methanol causes steady upward fluid flow due to capillary action enhanced by evaporation. The emergence of a dry region and a resulting increase in temperature can produce hydrogen gas due to catalytic reaction. The distributions of the liquid content, flow rates, pressures, and temperatures of liquid and vapor in the bed are calculated using a one-dimensional theoretical model. The experimental results indicate the validity of the process.