A CFD (computational fluid dynamics) model has been presented to simulate the steam reforming reaction of DME in this study. A three-dimensional numerical model introduced by the commercial software COMSOL was used to investigate the fluid flow of reformer bed and heating tubes, the energy transport of reformer bed and heating tubes, and the mass transport of reformer bed. The governing equations in the model consist of conservations of mass, momentum, energy and chemical species. In order to optimize the process of reaction, the steam to DME ratio, the inlet temperature, and porosity were investigated. The simulation results showed the changes of temperature distribution, DME conversion and hydrogen production of the steam reforming reaction with different operation conditions.
Cite this paper
Wang, J. and Li, C. (2017). Kinetics Study and Simulation of DME Steam Reforming Reaction. Open Access Library Journal, 4, e4022. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1104022.
Chaubey, R., Sahu, S., James, O.O. and Maity, S. (2013) A Review on Development of Industrial Processes and Emerging Techniques for Production of Hydrogen from Renewable and Sustainable Sources. Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews, 23, 443-462. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2013.02.019
Alves, H.J., Bley Junior, C., Niklevicz, R.R., Frigo, E.P. and Frigo, M.S. (2013) Overview of Hydrogen Production Technologies from Biogas and the Applications in Fuel Cells. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 38, 5215-5225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2013.02.057
Park, S.J., Lee, D.W., Yu, C.Y., Lee, K.Y. and Lee, K.H. (2008) Hydrogen Production from a DME Reforming-Membrane Reactor Using Stainless Steel-Supported Knudsen Membranes with High Permeability. Journal of Membrane Science, 318, 123-128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2008.02.036
Yan, C.F., Ye, W., Guo, C.Q., Huang, S.L., Li, W.B. and Luo, W.M. (2014) Numerical Simulation and Experimental Study of Hydrogen Production from Dimethyl Ether Steam Reforming in a Micro-Reactor. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 39, 18642-18649. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2014.02.133
Yan, C.F., Hai, H., Hu, R.R., Guo, C.Q., Huang, S.L., Li, W.B. and Wen, Y. (2014) Effect of Cr Promoter on Performance of Steam Reforming of Dimethyl Ether in a Metal Foam Micro-Reactor. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 39, 18625-18631. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2014.02.152
Elewuwa, F.A. and Makkawi, Y.T. (2015) Hydrogen Production by Steam Reforming of DME in a Large Scale CFB Reactor. Part I: Computational Model and Predictions. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 40, 15865-15876. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2015.10.050
Makkawi, Y.T. and Elewuwa, F.A. (2016) A Computational Model of Hydrogen Production by Steam Reforming of Dimethyl Ether in a Large Scale CFB Reactor. Part II: Parametric analysis. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 41, 19819-19828. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2016.08.072
Feng, D.M., Wang, Y., Wang, D. and Wang, J. (2009) Steam Reforming of Dimethyl Ether over CuO-ZnO-Al2O3-ZrO2 ZSM-5: A Kinetic Study. Chemical Engineering Journal, 146, 477-485. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2008.11.005
Li, C., Gao, Y. and Wu, C.S. (2015) Modeling and Simulation of Hydrogen Production from Dimethyl Ether Steam Reforming Using Exhaust Gas. International Journal of Energy Research, 39, 1272-1279. https://doi.org/10.1002/er.3330
Suh, J.S., Lee, M.T., Greif, R. and Grigoropoulos, C.P. (2007) A Study of Steam Methanol Reforming in a Microreactor. Journal of Power Sources, 173, 458-466. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2007.04.038
Chein, R., Chen, Y.C. and Chung, J.N. (2013) Numerical Study of Meth-anol—Steam Reforming And Methanol—Air Catalytic Combustion in Annulus Reactors for Hydrogen Production. Applied Energy, 102, 1022-1034. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2012.06.010
