Dynamics simulations of a novel heat-exchange methane reformer using an eelectrically heated alumite catalyst

A plate methane steam reformer, consisting of closely spaced plates of electrically heated alumite catalyst (EHAC), has been numerically investigated from the viewpoint of heat and mass transfer. Based on the ordinary heat exchange reformer where endothermic and exothermic reactions take place in alternative chambers, a novel reformer was proposed by integrating a preheating chamber with the combustion chamber. The simulation results predicted that the novel reformer could be started up by electrical heating through the catalyst, even with the inlet combustion gas temperature of 298 K. In addition, the response to load, fluctuation has also been numerically investigated. When the feed, flow was increased, to 1.5 times, a fast response to the load fluctuation was observed, which was attributed to the excellent heat transfer performance of the plate reactor.