Thermodynamic analysis of methanol steam reforming to produce hydrogen for HT-PEMFC: An optimization study

A statistical modeling and optimization study on the thermodynamic equilibrium of methanol steam reforming (MSR) process was performed by using Aspen Plus and the response surface methodology (RSM). The impacts of operation parameters; temperature, pressure and steam-to-methanol ratio (H2O/MeOH) on the product distribution were investigated. Equilibrium compositions of the H-2-rich stream and the favorable conditions within the operating range of interest (temperature: 25-600 degrees C, pressure: 1-3.0 atm, H2O/MeOH: 0-7.0) were analyzed. Furthermore, ideal conditions were determined to maximize the methanol conversion, hydrogen production with high yield and to minimize the undesirable products such as CO, methane, and carbon. The optimum corresponding MSR thermodynamic process parameters which are temperature, pressure and H2O/MeOH ratio for the production of HT-PEMFC grade hydrogen were identified to be 246 degrees C, 1 atm and 5.6, respectively. (C) 2019 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.