Counter-current autothermal reactors for hydrogen generation: Modeling and dynamic analysis

The autothermal generation of hydrogen using counter-current flow reactors was studied. A case study was employed to demonstrate that simply reversing the fuel flow in a reactor designed for co-current operation results in a drop in conversion and poor dynamic performance. Based on the simulation results and physical considerations, the aforementioned findings are presented, and a reactor redesign based on modifying the catalyst distribution that improves both steady-state conversion is proposed. In addition, a more robust operation during load changes is provided. All the novel developments proposed are illustrated through simulations using a first-principles detailed model of an autothermal reactor for hydrogen generation. This is an abstract of a paper presented at the 2007 AIChE Annual Meeting (Salt Lake City, UT 11/4-9/2007).