Computational Fluid Dynamics modeling of a pilot-scale autothermal reforming process

In the present work, A computational Fluid Dynamics model was developed to model autothermal reforming process of hexadecane in a pilot-scale monolithic reactor. The whole reactor was modeled as an axisymetric porous media and radial temperature profile inside the reactor due to heat losses was considered. The CFD results were compared with experimental measurements and good agreements were observed. The results showed that increasing the feed flow rate decreases the maximum temperature, the difference between the maximum and output temperatures, and mole fraction of hydrogen at reactor outlet. Increasing the feed temperature from 250 to 327 ◦C, causes the reaction rates to increase and increases the reaction conversion and Hydrogen concentration at outlet. A more increase in the inlet temperature to 400◦C, althoguh increases the conversion, shifts the water-gas shift reaction toward CO and decreases the hydrogen concentration in products. Increasing the O2/C mole ratio from 0.18 to 0.26, icreases the reactor temperature and consequently, rates and conversions of the reactions. More ratios of O2/C decreases the produced hydrogen by decreasing the available hydrocarbon for reforming reactions. It was concluded that the developed model provides very useful information of autothermal reforming in monolithic reactors and can be employed for simulation and optimization of these systems