Design of Cartridge-Based Ceramic Heat-Exchanger Microchannel Reformers for Process Intensification: Experiments and Simulations

This paper details a combination of experimental and theoretical design analyses of a cartridge-based microchannel reformer system capable of integrating two or three separate reforming processes (reactant preheating, methanol steam reforming, and methanol combustion for autothermal operation) within a single monolithic device in a two-dimensional or radially layered distribution pattern. This system employs a ceramic microchannel cartridge with catalyst configurations tailored to enable stable autothermal operation over a broad range of reforming and combustion flow rates. Operation of the 25-channel prototype system coupling methanol combustion in air (13 mol % CH3OH and 17.3 mol % O2) with steam reforming of a dilute (2.6 mol %) methanol–water mixture at combustion and reforming overall flow rates of 300 standard cubic centimeters per minute (sccm) [gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) of 19 200 h–1] and 1800 sccm (GHSV of 14 400 h–1) achieved steam reforming hydrogen yields of ∼85%, corresponding to an ov...

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