Mean fluid temperature data for endothermic steam reforming processes in continuous flow reactor systems at different pressures
Description
The mean fluid temperature data at different pressures are obtained for the coupling of endothermic and exothermic reactions in chemical reactors. To overcome the challenges and limitations posed by batch reactors in general, continuous flow reactor systems are designed and manufactured. These continuous flow reactors possess great potential to replace batch systems for most of the applications across various industries. Flow reactors are devices in which chemical reactions take place in microchannels. Microreactors are continuous flow reactors, whereby the chemical reaction happens continuously. Microreactors offer many advantages over conventional batch reactors, including vastly improved heat transfer, increased control of reaction kinetics, higher yields, improved operational safety and higher energy efficiency. Continuous flow reactors are characterized by unique internal structure, which is able to improve the mixing of fluids, enhance mass transfer and increase total heat transfer efficiency, hence appropriate for multi-phase reactions as well as those with high risks or under harsh conditions such as high temperature and low temperature. Exothermic and endothermic reactions take place simultaneously in continuous flow reactor systems whereby the heat required for the latter is supplied by the former. Heat transfer occurs via conduction through the walls of the reactor. For the endothermic reaction, the structure is especially effective because both the internal surfaces of the walls are coated with structured catalysts. The channels are 0.7 millimeters in height and in width and 30.0 millimeters in length. To ensure the mechanical strength at elevated pressures, the thickness of the uncoated walls and the catalyst layers is 0.7 millimeters and 0.1 millimeters, respectively. The oxidation catalyst consists essentially of oxides of copper, zinc and aluminum. The reforming catalyst consists essentially of copper and oxides of zinc and aluminum. The exothermic and endothermic processes are conducted with a methanol-air equivalence ratio of 0.8 and a steam-to-methanol molar ratio of 1.17. The inlet temperature of the mixtures is 373 degrees Kelvin. The gas velocity is 2.0 meters per second at the reforming channel inlets and 0.6 meters per second at the oxidation channel inlets, thereby assuring sufficient heat in the reactor. The boundary conditions relate macroscopic fluid flow at a catalytically active surface to the rates of surface reactions. Heterogeneous reactions at a catalytically active surface affect the heat and mass balance at the surface. Contributor: Junjie Chen, E-mail address: koncjj@gmail.com, ORCID: 0000-0002-5022-6863, Department of Energy and Power Engineering, School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Henan Polytechnic University, 2000 Century Avenue, Jiaozuo, Henan, 454000, P.R. China
Files
Steps to reproduce
Numerical simulations are performed within ANSYS FLUENT using fluid mechanics. Physical properties depend on temperature and composition. A piecewise-polynomial function is specified for the temperature dependence. Boundary conditions are specified and physical properties are defined for the fluids, solids, and mixtures.