A SIMULATIVE COMPARISON OF DENSE AND MICROPOROUS MEMBRANE REACTORS FOR THE STEAM REFORMING OF METHANE

The steam reforming of methane using catalytic membrane reactors has b een simulated for two types of membranes - a dense Pd/Ag composite mem brane and a series of microporous membranes. Various values of hydroge n separation factors were investigated for the latter. In general the Pd/Ag membranes gave the better performance, for all parameters invest igated including temperature, pressure, sweep ratio, and membrane thic kness. However, the use of steam as a sweep gas produced an improved p erformance for the microporous membranes operating in the Knudsen regi on. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.