Co-current and Counter Current Operations for Steam Reformin

ABSTRACT
Hydrogen production by steam reforming of higher hydrocarbon over nickelsupported
catalyst is investigated in an earlier suggested novel Circulating
Fast Fluidized Bed Membrane Reformer (CFFBMR). Palladium hydrogen
membranes are used with co-current and counter-current operation modes. It
is found that hydrogen production has a non-monotonic dependence upon the
reaction temperature in the range of 623-823K. Between 623 and 723K, the
yields of hydrogen decrease and then increase between 723 and 823K. This
important phenomenon is investigated, discussed and explained. The
simulation results shows that the reformer performance can be significantly
improved using hydrogen membranes, especially in the counter-current
operation mode. At low temperatures around 623K, both co-current and
counter-current operation modes provide similar yields of hydrogen. While at
temperature 723K and higher, the counter-current operation provides the
highest yield of hydrogen.
Keywords: circulating fluidized bed, co-current, counter-current, hydrogen,
membrane reformer, non-monotonic, steam reforming

Co-current and Counter Current Operations for Steam Reformin