Simulation studies of the hydrogen production from methanol partial oxidation steam reforming by a tubular packed-bed catalytic reactor

Hydrogen production by partial oxidation steam reforming of methanol over a Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst has been paid more and more attention. The chemical equilibria involved in the methanol partial oxidation steam reforming react ion network such as methanol partial oxidation, methanol steam reforming, d ecomposition of methanol and water-gas shift reaction have been examined ov er the ranges of temperature 473-1073 K under normal pressure. Based on the detailed kinetics of these reactions over a Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst, and fro m the basic concept of the effectiveness factor, the intraparticle diffusio n limitations were taken into account. The effectiveness factors for each r eaction along the bed length were calculated. Then important results were o ffered for the simulation of this reaction process.