Experimental evaluation of the pressure-temperature coupling in the heat-mass transfer mechanism of a kW-scale thermally self-sustaining hydrogen production reactor

Abstract

The coupling of exothermic and endothermic reactions plays a critical role in achieving energy integration and management of the methanol steam reforming reactor. In this paper, a kW-scale reactor that integrates combustion and reforming processes is designed. The reactor is capable of self-thermal startup within 1 h and maintaining stable operation under varying load demands. The methanol conversion rate initially increases and then decreases, with a peak of 88.43 % observed at a backpressure of 80 kPa. As backpressure increases, the reactor temperature rises accordingly. The flow rate in the reforming chamber is influenced by the combined effects of temperature and pressure, with temperature changes having a more significant impact than backpressure. The temperature difference in the combustion chamber reaches 217K, representing the region with the largest temperature gradient within the reactor. The temperature distribution in the reforming chamber is relatively uniform, ensuring the stability and efficiency of the reforming process.