Capturing the intrinsic dry reforming of methane reaction in a catalytic dual-phase ceramic-carbonate hollow fibre membrane reactor through simulation modelling and process optimisation

In this work, the permeation flux equations, Richardson and Paripatyadar kinetic model, and lumen-shell mass balances were combined to develop a simulation model for the integrated CO2 separation-dry reforming of methane (DRM) reaction in La0.6Sr0.4Co0.8Fe0.2O3-delta (LSCF)-carbonate hollow fibre membrane reactor. The interactions of the reactants for the DRM and reverse water gas shift reactions were simulated at different operating parameters. Greater membrane area gave higher CO2 and CH4 conversions and H-2/CO (syngas) molar ratio of similar to 1. Lower temperature of 700 degrees C provided higher DRM performance in membrane reactor, which was due to the higher CO2 permeation from the higher electronic conductivity of LSCF. Higher CH4 amount in the sweep gas facilitated CO2 permeation, conversion, syngas yield, and ratio. The optimum DRM performance of the membrane reactor was achieved at a lumen-to-shell flow rate ratio of 0.5, whereas the limiting factor was the CH4 availability at the shell side.