Various Transport Phenomena and Modeling in a Methane Reformer Duct for PEMFCs

There are various physical processes (such as mass, heat and momentum transport) integrated with
catalytic chemical reactions in a methane steam reforming duct. It is often found that endothermic and
exothermic reactions in the ducts are strongly coupled by heat transfer from adjacent catalytic combustion
ducts. In this paper, a three-dimensional calculation method is developed to simulate and analyze steam
reforming of methane, and the effects on various transport processes in a steam reforming duct. The
reformer conditions such as mass balances associated with the reforming reactions and gas permeation
to/from the porous catalyst layer are applied in the analysis. The predicted results are presented and
discussed for a composite duct consisting of a porous catalyst reaction area, the gas flow duct and solid
layers. Parametric studies are conducted and the results show that the variables, such as fuel reformer
temperatures and catalyst loadings, have significant effects on the transport processes and reformer
performance.