(784d) Non Isothermal Model for Theoretical Investigation of Hydrogen Purification by Water Gas Shift Reaction From Reforming Mixtures Using Catalytic Membrane Reactor

Conventional membrane reactors for hydrogen separation by water gas shift reaction from reformate mixtures employ hydrogen permselective Polymeric or Pd based materials in tandem with catalysts. Polymeric membranes provide promising hydrogen permselectivities, but they lack thermal stability at temperatures above 200⁰C which limits their application for low temperature WGS reaction. Dense Palladium membrane has infinite inherent hydrogen permselectivities but they are expensive, prone to poisoning by carbonaceous materials and suffer embrittlement over multiple thermal cycles. In order to address these problems our research group is exploring the use of catalytic membranes to achieve hydrogen separation without relying upon costly and delicate permselective materials.

A detailed 2D Non-Isothermal model was developed to explore the use of externally applied axial and/or radial thermal profiles to enhance H₂ recovery rates while maintaining competitive (>100:1) permselectivities.  2D Isothermal simulation of a catalytic membrane reactor receiving a typical reformate mixture (9% CO, 3% CO₂, 28% H₂, 15% H₂O) with pure steam as sweep co-reactant gas predicted permselectivities of 90:1 to >200:1 corresponding to hydrogen recoveries of 20% to 40% [1]. This talk will detail model development and results of both isothermal and non-isothermal membrane reactor simulations.

[1] B.Kuncharam, B.A.Wilhite, Cost-Effective Catalytic Membranes for H2 Purification. 67b. Presented at AIChE Spring Meeting 2012.