Modeling and Numerical Simulation of Hydrogen Production by Diesel Reforming Based on ASPEN PLUS

Abstract

Diesel reforming for hydrogen production technology is considered to be an important development trend of efficient and clean utilization of diesel. Using Aspen Plus simulation platform, the process flow of diesel reforming for hydrogen production was modeled, and the effects of reforming temperature, reforming pressure, water-to-carbon ratio and raw material composition on diesel reforming reaction were studied. The results show that the hydrogen content in the reforming product firstly increases and then decreases with the reforming temperature. The optimum reforming temperature of n-hexadecane is about 750°C; Lower reaction pressure is beneficial to obtain higher H2 mole fraction, and the optimal reforming pressure is recommended to be set between 1bar and 100bar. In terms of water-to-carbon ratio, the optimal water-to-carbon ratio is about 2.3. The increase of cycloalkanes and other related components in diesel is conducive to higher hydrogen yield, while the increase of aromatic hydrocarbons, alkanes and other related components is not conducive to the reforming reaction.