Parametric studies for CO2 reforming of methane in a membrane reactor as a new CO2 utilization process

A one-dimensional reactor model was employed to perform parametric studies for CO2 reforming of methane in a membrane reactor to investigate its feasibility as a new CO2 utilization process. The effect of key variables such as hydrogen permeance and Ar sweep gas flow rate to facilitate H-2 transport from a shell side (retentate) to a tube side (permeate) on the performance in a membrane reactor was studied at various temperatures with numerical simulation validated by experimental results. In addition, increase in CH4 conversion and H-2 yield enhancement observed in membrane reactor was successfully confirmed by profiles of H-2 partial pressure difference between shell and tube sides. From the numerical simulation studies, the feasibility of using a membrane reactor for CO2 reforming of methane was confirmed by increased CH4 conversion and H-2 yield enhancement compared to a packed-bed reactor at the same condition, which in turn leads to significant cost reductions due to a reduced operating temperature. Moreover, a window of H-2 permeance and a guideline for Ar sweep gas flow rate for the efficient membrane reactor design was obtained from this study.