Conversion of methane to synthesis gas in a non-premixed reversed-flow porous bed reactor: A kinetic modeling

The methane conversion to syngas by air-steam partial oxidation in a non-premixed reversed-flow porous bed reactor is investigated numerically. The calculations were performed using the two-temperature (gas/solid) one-dimensional model. The kinetic model incorporates a set of gas-phase radical-chain reactions, the radicals loss on the surface of inert solid, the formation of carbon deposits and the reactions of the latter with oxygen, water, and carbon dioxide. The results of the computational experiments were compared to the predictions of thermodynamic model. It was shown that the combustion temperature exceeds that predicted in thermodynamic model, while the concentrations of acetylene and unreacted methane in the products substantially exceed those predicted. A comparison of the conversion in a non-premixed reversed-flow reactor with that for premixed gas mixture in the regime of superadiabatic traveling wave shows that a higher combustion temperature is attained in the non-premixed case.