Optimization of tri-reformer reactor to produce synthesis gas for methanol production using differential evolution (DE) method

Z. Arab Aboosadi, A.H. Jahanmiri and M.R. Rahimpour

Applied Energy, 2011, vol. 88, issue 8, 2701 pages

Abstract: This paper presents a study on optimization of a fixed bed tri-reformer reactor (TR). This reactor has been used instead of conventional steam reformer (CSR) and auto thermal reformer (CAR). A theoretical investigation has been performed in order to evaluate the optimal operating conditions and enhancement of methane conversion, hydrogen production and desired H2/CO ratio as a synthesis gas for methanol production. A mathematical heterogeneous model has been used to simulate the reactor. The process performance under steady state conditions was analyzed with respect to key operational parameters (inlet temperature, O2/CH4, CO2/CH4 and steam/CH4 ratios). The influence of these parameters on gas temperature, methane conversion, hydrogen production and H2/CO ratio was investigated. Model validation was carried out by comparison of the reforming model results with industrial data of CSR. Differential evolution (DE) method was applied as a powerful method for optimization. Optimum feed temperature and reactant ratios (CH4/CO2/H2O/O2) are 1100Â K and 1/1.3/2.46/0.47 respectively. The optimized TR has enhanced methane conversion by 3.8% relative to industrial reformers in a single reactor. Methane conversion, hydrogen yield and H2/CO ratio in optimized TR are 97.9%, 1.84 and 1.7 respectively. The optimization results of tri-reformer were compared with the corresponding predictions from process simulation software operated at the same feed conditions.

Keywords: Fixed; bed; reactor; Tri-reformer; Optimization; Differential; evolution; Modeling (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (13)

Downloads: (external link)
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306-2619(11)00116-4
Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:appene:v:88:y:2011:i:8:p:2691-2701

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/405891/bibliographic
http://www.elsevier. ... 405891/bibliographic

Access Statistics for this article

Applied Energy is currently edited by J. Yan

More articles in Applied Energy from Elsevier
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Catherine Liu ().