Modeling Kinetic, Thermodynamic, and Operational Effects in a Steam Methane Reformer. Part B: Carbon Formation

Results from a multiscale one-dimensional model of a steam methane reformer were applied to investigate carbon formation. Using a combined thermodynamic and kinetic approach, regions of likely carbon formation are predicted in line with industrial observations. This prediction is used to show that real gas considerations improve predictions of carbon formation regions. Kinetic reaction models were compared in their predicted carbon forming regions showing Xu and Froment’s kinetics as the most applicable and realistic model with Hou and Hughes’ kinetics showing carbon formation inconsistent with industrial observations. This deeper understanding of carbon formation mechanisms allows the development of a system to avoid carbon formation using CO2 in place of/in conjunction with steam.