P.A. Erickson, D.D. Davieau, R.J. Kamisky, and Z.J. Zoller
Hydrogen energy, space velocity, steam reformation
Because of recent interest in efficiency, emissions, and energy security, fuel cell power systems are thought by many to be the way of the future. Low temperature fuel cells optimally operate utilizing a pure hydrogen stream; thus, the production of hydrogen becomes a paramount concern to those desirous of utilizing fuel cells in practical applications. Past investigations show that steam reformation of hydrocarbons is a feasible pathway for hydrogen production in fuel cell vehicle applications. In investigations of steam reformation, space velocity (or inverse residence time) is often used as a quasi-non-dimensional parameter capturing flow rate and geometrical terms. Current assumptions attribute space velocity with capturing pertinent reactor output parameters regardless of scale or geometry. Under these assumptions, for a reactor with constant volume, geometric changes would not affect the overall output of percent conversion of the hydrocarbon fuel. However, when geometric changes of steam reformers occur, space velocity is insufficient to capture the results of these changes. This paper presents experimental data of a methanol–steam reformer, which demonstrates the dilemma of using a space velocity term to relate fuel conversion when flow rates and/or reactor geometry are modified.
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