Numerical Simulation and Calculation of Carbon Catalytic CH4-CO2 Reforming Reactor

Abstract

A pilot carbon catalytic CH₄-CO₂ reforming reactor was developed and simulation was carried out with computational fluid dynamics simulation software. The reforming reactor structure, working principle and chemical reaction processes of the reforming reactor were introduced. The temperature distribution, flow field and species distribution in the reforming reactor were simulated. The simulation results were as follows: entrance content of 44 % H₂ in mixed gas, export content of 56.6 % H₂ in synthetic gas, entrance content of 23.2 % CO, export content of 29.5 % CO, entrance content of 14.71 % CH₄, export content of 1.62 % CH₄, entrance content of 7.97 % CO₂, export content of 1.4 % CO₂ and H₂/CO of 1.9-2.2. Based on the predicted simulation results, an actual carbon catalytic CH₄-CO₂ reforming reactor was developed. The material balance, heat balance and flow resistance were calculated. The calculation results showed that the goal was successfully achieved.