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Hydrogen generation in a multi-channel membrane reactor Vigneault, Alexandre
Abstract
A novel Multi-Channel Membrane Reactor (MCMR) has been developed for the decentralized production of hydrogen via Steam Methane Reforming (SMR). The concept alternates steam reforming gas channels to produce the hydrogen and Methane Catalytic Combustion (MCC) gas channels to provide the heat of reaction. A palladium-silver (Pd/Ag) membrane inside each reforming gas channel shifts the reaction equilibrium, and produces pure hydrogen in a single vessel. A steady-state, non iso-thermal and two-dimensional modeling of the concept was first developed. Sensitivity analyses from the simulations indicated the importance of fast kinetics and thick catalyst coating layers (>80 mm) to avoid limitations from the catalyst. An innovative hot substrate air-spray coating method was developed, and thick layer of catalysts (>240 µm) with good adherence under sonication were obtained. A lab-made Ru MgO-La₂O₃/ y-Al₂O₃ catalyst, with carrier and promoters pre-aged by steam, and coated on pre-oxidized Fecralloy, was found to be suitable for the reforming channel. On the combustion side, commercial Pd y-Al₂O₃ catalysts were successfully coated on stainless steel support. Kinetics parameters were estimated for both reforming and combustion catalysts. A proof-of-concept MCMR was designed and built. Results showed that a methane conversion of 87% was achievable with a pure hydrogen output (99.995%). The reforming experimental results were adequately predicted for a wide range of operating conditions. On the combustion side, the experimental conversions were below the model expectations, likely because of flow distribution and catalyst stability issues. It is shown that the MCMR concept has the potential to give hydrogen yield per reactor volume, and per mass of catalyst, about one order of magnitude higher than for alternate membrane reactor technologies.
Item Metadata
Title |
Hydrogen generation in a multi-channel membrane reactor
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Creator | |
Publisher |
University of British Columbia
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Date Issued |
2012
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Description |
A novel Multi-Channel Membrane Reactor (MCMR) has been developed for the
decentralized production of hydrogen via Steam Methane Reforming (SMR). The
concept alternates steam reforming gas channels to produce the hydrogen and
Methane Catalytic Combustion (MCC) gas channels to provide the heat of reaction.
A palladium-silver (Pd/Ag) membrane inside each reforming gas channel
shifts the reaction equilibrium, and produces pure hydrogen in a single vessel.
A steady-state, non iso-thermal and two-dimensional modeling of the concept
was first developed. Sensitivity analyses from the simulations indicated the importance
of fast kinetics and thick catalyst coating layers (>80 mm) to avoid limitations
from the catalyst. An innovative hot substrate air-spray coating method
was developed, and thick layer of catalysts (>240 µm) with good adherence under
sonication were obtained. A lab-made Ru MgO-La₂O₃/ y-Al₂O₃ catalyst, with
carrier and promoters pre-aged by steam, and coated on pre-oxidized Fecralloy,
was found to be suitable for the reforming channel. On the combustion side, commercial
Pd y-Al₂O₃ catalysts were successfully coated on stainless steel support.
Kinetics parameters were estimated for both reforming and combustion catalysts.
A proof-of-concept MCMR was designed and built. Results showed that a
methane conversion of 87% was achievable with a pure hydrogen output (99.995%).
The reforming experimental results were adequately predicted for a wide range of
operating conditions. On the combustion side, the experimental conversions were
below the model expectations, likely because of flow distribution and catalyst stability
issues. It is shown that the MCMR concept has the potential to give hydrogen
yield per reactor volume, and per mass of catalyst, about one order of magnitude
higher than for alternate membrane reactor technologies.
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Genre | |
Type | |
Language |
eng
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Date Available |
2013-01-30
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Provider |
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
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Rights |
Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported
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DOI |
10.14288/1.0059112
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URI | |
Degree | |
Program | |
Affiliation | |
Degree Grantor |
University of British Columbia
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Graduation Date |
2012-11
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Campus | |
Scholarly Level |
Graduate
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Rights URI | |
Aggregated Source Repository |
DSpace
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Rights
Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported