Chemical Engineering & Technology, Vol.26, No.7, 790-796, 2003
Steady-state and dynamic simulation of an autothermal gasoline reformer
Detailed numerical simulation is an important tool for the analysis, development and optimization of new reactor systems. In this contribution results of steady-state and dynamic simulations of a hydrogen production system for mobile applications based on gasoline are presented. The system consists of an autothermal reformer, a high temperature shift reactor and a countercurrent heat exchanger for heat integration. The simulations are based on 1-D, multiphase, dynamic models, which are solved with the simulation tool PDEX-Pack. Firstly steady-state and dynamic simulations of the autothermal reformer alone are presented. Concentration and temperature profiles in the reformer under different operation conditions are discussed and possibilities to improve the performance are assessed. Dynamic simulations of load change and cold start show the fast dynamic response of the reformer due to its low thermal mass. Simulations of the coupled system underline the impact of the heat exchanger design for the system performance, especially under dynamic conditions. Finally dynamic simulations of a possible cold start strategy for the system are discussed.