Parallel plates reactor simulation: Ethanol steam reforming thermally coupled with ethanol combustion

Abstract

This work presents a theoretical study on the thermal coupling of ethanol steam reforming with ethanol combustion in a parallel plates reactor. A one-dimensional, heterogeneous, mathematical model is used and the effects of the main operative and constructive variables on the performance of the system are analyzed. Thermal coupling between combustion and reforming of ethanol is plausible and an adequate behavior of the reactor in terms of hydrogen yield and conversion of ethanol is predicted. The importance of distributing the source of heat is evidenced since high molar fractions of ethanol in the combustion stream can lead to excessive hot spots.