Modeling of Various Transport Processes in a Natural Gas Reformer

In this study, a three-dimensional calculation method has been developed to simulate and analyze steam reforming of natural gas, and the effects on various transport processes in a duct from a compact steam reformer. The reformer conditions such as the combined thermal boundary conditions on solid walls, mass balances associated with the reforming reactions and gas permeation to/from the porous catalyst layer are applied in the analysis. Momentum and heat transport together with fuel gas species equations have been solved by coupled source terms and variable thermo-physical properties (such as density, viscosity, specific heat, etc.) of the fuel gas mixture. The predicted results are presented and discussed for a composite duct consisting of a porous catalyst reaction area, the flow duct and solid layers. Parametric studies are conducted and the results show that the variables, such as fuel reformer temperatures and duct configuration, have significant effects on the transport processes and reformer performance.