Thermodynamic equilibrium and reaction kinetic study for the steam methane reforming process

Abstract

This study explored the use of thermodynamic equilibrium and reaction kinetics of a well-known process, that is, the production of hydrogen from the steam methane reforming process for preliminary chemical reactor design purposes. This was conducted to determine the reaction kinetic model that is more favorable to the process. The method used consisted of calculating the equilibrium fractions of the species that were present in the system and then calculating the reactants conversions. The kinetic model parameters were input into a simulation package and the results were compared to those determined from equilibrium calculations. It was found that the kinetic model proposed by Xu and Froment out performed that proposed by Oliviera, for various process conditions, that is, operating temperature, pressure and steam to methane ratio.