Optimization of Ethanol Reforming with micro-channels in Plate type reformer configuration

Abstract

The study of steam reforming of ethanol in micro-channels in a plate-type reformer has been carried out to understand the fluid mechanics, heat transfer and kinetics of ethanol conversion to hydrogen for fuel-cell applications. Heat exchange between alternate channels of combustion flue gas and steam-ethanol mixture has been considered, involving co-flow or counter-flow configurations. Combustion reactions are observed to be completed close to the entry. This results in higher rates of conversion for the co-flow configuration, owing to higher heat transfer rates at the entry. It is shown that end effects are felt only in the outer-most channels and hence a symmetric reformer channel analysis is adequate to predict the performance of a multi-channel reformer system. In the axial direction, the flow, temperature and concentration fields attain fully developed profile form at a short distance from the inlet. At larger axial distances, the velocity profile undergoes mild variations due to changes in the gas d...