Mathematical and Computer Simulation of Methanol Steam Reforming Using Palladium Membrane Reactor

• Main Authors: Tsai Seng Chuan, 蔡聖權
• Other Authors: Jeffrey Chi-Sheng Wu
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2002
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/00577186511546388792

碩士 === 國立臺灣大學 === 化學工程學研究所 === 90 === In this research , we simulate a methanol steam reforming reaction process in a palladium membrane reactor . We attempt to find the optimal conditions for maximum hydrogen production . The conditions we focus on are : the pressure difference of the two sides of the membrane ; the thickness of the membrane ; the temperature of the external heat source ; and the feed ratio . We first build the mathematical model for this system and thus obtain a set of ordinary differential equations , which are initial value problems . The programming language for the computer simulation is FORTRAN , we use the Fourth-Order Runge-Kutta Method to calculate the values of the variables at different positions of the reactor . The major findings are : (1) An increase in the difference between the inner-outer pressures will result in an increase in the hydrogen production . (2) When the system is in high temperature , it is beneficial for hydrogen yield . (3) The hydrogen produced increase significantly after the thickness of the membrane decreases . (4) Optimal feed ratio is determined by the volume of the feeds , and the length of the reactor ( or contact time ) . If we want to obtain more hydrogen product , we must increase the pressure-difference and temperature of heat source , and find the optimal feed ratio which is due to the feeds values and the reactor length , and the thickness of palladium membrane is about 20um . Then we can have the maximum hydrogen product .