Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of catalyst distribution in the combustion catalytic layer on heat and mass transport characteristics of the auto-thermal methanol steam reforming microchannel reactor.

Design/methodology/approach

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method is used to study four different gradient designs. The corresponding distributions of temperature, species and chemical reaction rate are provided and compared.

Findings

The distributions of species, temperature and chemical reaction rate are significantly affected by the catalyst distribution in the combustion catalytic layer. A more uniform temperature distribution can be observed when the gradient design is used. Meanwhile, the methanol conversion rate is also improved.

Practical implications

This work reveals the effect of catalyst distribution in the combustion catalytic layer on heat and mass transport characteristics of the auto-thermal methanol steam reforming microchannel reactor and provides guidance for the design of reactors.

Originality/value

The temperature uniformity and hydrogen production performance can be improved by the gradient design in the combustion catalytic layer.

中文翻译：

---

燃烧催化层催化剂分布对微通道反应器传热传质特性的影响

 目的

本研究的目的是研究燃烧催化层催化剂分布对自热甲醇蒸汽重整微通道反应器传热传质特性的影响。

设计/方法论/途径

计算流体动力学（CFD）方法用于研究四种不同的梯度设计。提供并比较了相应的温度、物种和化学反应速率的分布。

 发现

燃烧催化层中催化剂的分布对物种、温度和化学反应速率的分布有显着影响。当使用梯度设计时，可以观察到更均匀的温度分布。同时，甲醇转化率也得到提高。

 实际影响

该工作揭示了燃烧催化层催化剂分布对自热甲醇蒸汽重整微通道反应器传热传质特性的影响，为反应器的设计提供指导。

 原创性/价值

通过燃烧催化层的梯度设计可以提高温度均匀性和产氢性能。