A catalytic hollow fibre membrane reactor for combined steam methane reforming and water gas shift reaction
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Gil, AG
Wu, Z
Chadwick, D
Li, K
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
A catalytic hollow fibre membrane reactor (CHFMR) was developed in this study for combined steam methane reforming (SMR) and water gas shift (WGS) reaction. This is achieved by incorporating a Ni/SBA-15 catalyst into a plurality of micro-channels with open entrance from inner surface of Al2O3 hollow fibres, followed by coating of a 3.3 µm Pd membrane on the outer surface of the hollow fibre using an electroless plating method. In addition to systematic characterizations of each reactor component, i.e. Ni/SBA-15 catalyst, micro-structured ceramic hollow fibre and Pd separating layer, the effect of how the reactor was assembled or fabricated on the catalytic performance was evaluated. Electroless plating of the Pd membrane impaired the catalytic performance of the deposited Ni/SBA-15 catalyst. Also, the over-removal of hydrogen from the reaction zone was considered as the main reason for the deactivation of the Ni-based catalyst. Instead of mitigating such deactivation using “compensating” hydrogen, starting the reaction at higher temperatures was found more efficient in improving the reactor performance, due to a better match between hydrogen production (from the reaction) and hydrogen removal (from the Pd membrane). An effective methane conversion of approximately 53%, a CO2 selectivity of 94% and a H2 recovery of 43% can be achieved at 560 °C. In order for a more significant “shift” phenomenon, alternative methodology of fabricating the reactor and more coke resistant catalysts are recommended.
Date Issued
2015-07-04
Date Acceptance
2015-06-27
Citation
Chemical Engineering Science, 2015, 137, pp.364-372
ISSN
0009-2509
Publisher
Elsevier
Start Page
364
End Page
372
Journal / Book Title
Chemical Engineering Science
Volume
137
Copyright Statement
© 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. This manuscript is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Sponsor
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC)
Identifier
http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000361772400033&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
Grant Number
EP/I010947/1
Subjects
Science & Technology
Technology
Engineering, Chemical
Engineering
Catalytic hollow fibre membrane reactor
Steam methane reforming
Water-gas shift
H-2 production
Ni/SBA-15 catalyst
Pd membrane
HYDROGEN-PRODUCTION
WGS REACTION
H-2
DESIGN
Chemical Engineering
0904 Chemical Engineering
0913 Mechanical Engineering
Publication Status
Published