4. Conclusions
The present study aims to provide an improved methanol steam reformer
reactor system and process for the carrying out of vapor phase
heterogeneous reactions. The effect of temperature on the methanol mole
fraction and effective factor is investigated for a microchannel
methanol steam reformer with different shapes of the cross section of
the process microchannel. Particular emphasis is placed upon the heat
and mass characteristics involved in vapor phase heterogeneous reaction
processes in methanol steam reformers. The major conclusions are
summarized as follows:
- The steam reforming catalyst is adapted to produce a reformate stream
from the feed stream, which is delivered to the reforming region at an
elevated temperature and pressure.
- The fuel stream tends to vary in composition and type depending upon
the mechanisms used to produce heat.
- Methanol is a particularly well-suited carbon-containing feedstock for
steam reforming reactions. Methanol steam reforming typically takes
place at a lower temperature than when other carbon-containing
feedstocks are reformed.
- A methanol steam reforming catalyst is additionally or alternatively
not pyrophoric. A benefit of a low temperature shift catalyst is that
the reforming catalyst beds do not need to be shielded or otherwise
isolated from contact with air to prevent spontaneous oxidation of the
catalyst.
- Improving heat flux from tubular reactor outer environment to inner
environment is a critical step to increase reactor efficiency.
- Smaller diameter catalytic reactors can offer several advantages of
improving heat transfer from external heat source to reaction mixture
in the tube, enhancing tube life-time by reducing thermal gradients,
reducing metal material use, and being applicable for compact steam
reformer systems.