A simulation model for ruthenium-catalyzed dry reforming of methane (DRM) at different temperatures and gas compositions

Abstract

Dry reforming of methane (DRM) is an environmentally friendly technology for producing syngas while consuming CO2. However, the short lifespan of catalysts due to metal sintering, coke deposition, and sulfur poisoning hinders its widespread adoption. To address such issues, perovskite catalysts, which have shown superior performance and resistance to coke formation and poisoning, were developed. In this study, a comprehensive simulation model of a DRM reactor that employs Sr0.92Y0.08Ti0.95Ru0.05O3-d (SYTRu5) using COMSOL Multiphysics software was developed. The objective of this study is to contribute to the understanding of the intricate dynamics of DRM process via utilizing simulation models. The simulation model considered five main reactions and calculated the properties of the gas mixture considering temperatures and compositions. Using the simulation model, the distribution of gas mole fractions and temperatures were obtained. According to the results, the H2 yield and CO2 conversion rate increased with increasing operating temperature. The temperature of the catalyst bed decreased rapidly owing to the endothermicity of the reaction. Additionally, the CH4 conversion rate increased with increasing proportion of CO2, whereas the reaction converged to an equilibrium state and the temperature difference in the catalyst bed decreased with decreasing gas flow rate. (c) 2023 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.