Hydrogen Production by Reforming in Fixed-bed Catalytic Reactor

摘要

Hydrogen for use in fuel cell is typically generated by fuel processing from available fuels bymeans of different reforming reactions (steam reforming, partial oxidation and autothermalreforming).In the framework of national R&D programmes on hydrogen and fuel cell technologies,ENEA, Italian National Agency for New Technology Energy and Environment, has beencarrying out experimental activities on reaction engineering aimed at fuel processingtechnology for small stationary applications. A test facility has been designed to test andevaluate the performance of a complete natural gas fuel processor and of its single reactors.Experimental activities were focused on the methane partial oxidation operation in fixed bedtubular reactor and achievable conversion rate, CO selectivity rate, and H2 concentration andyield were investigated in term of the operating conditions. Using a commercial catalyst, inspite of catalyst support failure due to its poor shock resistance, useful information and dataabout improvements in reactor design and optimal catalyst configuration were obtained.