Hydrogen from Biogas: Dynamic Modeling and Validation of a Biogas Steam Reforming Plant

A dynamic, plant-wide process model of a steam reforming plant producing hydrogen from biogas is developed in UniSim Design. The model is validated under both steady-state and dynamic conditions with experimental data from a measurement campaign at a pilot plant. Results demonstrate that the model accurately predicts steady-state operating points and reasonably captures the dynamic response of step tests. For example, temporary temperature overshoots in the catalyst bed of the steam reforming reactor, which occur during load reductions, are precisely captured by the model and therefore allow, in future, the determination of maximum load change rates with the aid of the developed model.