Minimization of entropy generation rate in methanol steam reforming reactor
The methanol steam reforming (MSR) reaction is a prospective method in hydrogen generation because of its operability and high conversion efficiency. Most of the current thermodynamic studies involving MSR use classical thermodynamic methods, while fewer studies have been conducted on the irreversib...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Case Studies in Thermal Engineering |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214157X25000255 |
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| Summary: | The methanol steam reforming (MSR) reaction is a prospective method in hydrogen generation because of its operability and high conversion efficiency. Most of the current thermodynamic studies involving MSR use classical thermodynamic methods, while fewer studies have been conducted on the irreversibility of the reaction process using finite-time thermodynamic (FTT) methods. In this paper, the kinetic data are fitted to obtain the MSR reaction rate equation and the FTT theory is used to model the MSR reactor. The optimal reactor configuration is investigated with the optimization objective of total entropy generation rate (EGR) minimization at a fixed hydrogen production rate. Based on reference reactor with constant temperature heat supply, optimal control theory is applied to obtain optimal reactors for three cases, i.e. fixed inlet temperature, free inlet temperature, free inlet temperature and steam/carbon (S/C) ratio. Compared with the reference reactor, the optimized total EGR values are reduced by 0.61 %, 5.93 % and 10.37 % respectively. The comparisons show that the decrease in total EGR after optimization is mainly caused by reducing the heat transfer irreversibility, and the optimal profiles of control temperature have a similar distribution pattern. The local EGR due to heat transfer is more uniformly distributed in the axial direction, which conforms approximately to the equalization principle of the entropy production. The findings of the study may provide theoretical guidance for energy-efficient design and industrial application of MSR reactors. |
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| ISSN: | 2214-157X |