Simulation of Steam Reforming Tube with Shaped Particles

Abstract

Shaped catalysts are widely used in steam reforming. A comprehensive mathematical model able to predict and compare performance of different shaped catalysts is developed. The two-dimensional pseudo homogeneous model accounts for heat transfer between the tube wall and catalyst bed, conductivity and diffusivity in the radial direction in the packed bed and intraparticle diffusion. Gas volume changing caused by reaction stoichiometry results in a radial convective mass flux. A verification of the model and simulated performance of different shaped catalysts in steam reforming of natural gas are presented