Modeling Kinetic, Thermodynamic, and Operational Effects in a Steam Methane Reformer. Part A: Reformer Output

Key decisions in developing a model
of a steam methane reformer
were investigated in this paper. A comprehensive one-dimensional Python
model of a reformer tube is proposed, including the effects of sintering
and poisoning. Comparison between the Redlich–Kwong and ideal
gas equations of state shows little difference upon reformed gas outlet
properties. Different reaction kinetic models are tested over a variety
of realistic conditions and compared against industrial data. Overall,
these changes only impact conditions near the reactor inlet, as the
approach to thermodynamic equilibrium near the reactor outlet ensures
that all model-predicted process variables at the outlet are similar.
Models from both Xu and Froment and Hou and Hughes are recommended
for future reformer models where accurate outlet variables are required.