Thermodynamic calculations for reactive sorption enhanced reforming of C2/C3 light hydrocarbons

In order to extend the use of raw materials of reactive sorption enhanced reforming process (ReSER) for hydrogen production, a thermodynamic analysis on cock oven gas (COG) containing C2/C3 light hydrocarbons, such as C2H4, C2H6, C3H6, and C3H8, were carried out for the feasibility and optimization operation conditions by using simulation software Aspen Plus. The calculations are based on the system pressure of 0.1-5 MPa, reaction temperature of 200-800°C, steam to carbon molar ratio (S/C) of 1-8, and calcium oxide to carbon molar ratio (Ca/C) of 0-5.The calculation results show that the products with over 95% H2 can be obtained by ReSER process using COG as raw materials under the optimized reaction conditions of S/C of 4, Ca/C of 2.5, reaction temperature between 200°C and 650°C, and system pressure between 0.1 and 1.8 MPa. The H2 content in products increases with the increase of S/C or Ca/C. For selected CO2 removal ratio over 0.9, the H2 molar fraction is over 95% when the reaction temperature of C2H4, C2H6, C3H6 and C3H8 is over 250°C, 400°C, 250°C and 350°C respectively, at S/C of 4 and Ca/C of 2.5.For CO2 removal ratio lower than 0.9, the reaction temperature of C2H4, C2H6, C3H6 and C3H8 should be 50°C higher for H2 molar fraction more than 95%. Among hydrocarbons with the same C number, it is easier for alkenes to present ReSER process than alkanes. The raw material with more C number is more easily to have ReSER process. © All Rights Reserved.