Experimental study of a membrane assisted fluidized bed reactor for H2 production by steam reforming of CH4

Hydrogen is emerging as a future alternative for mobile and stationary energy carriers in addition to its use in chemical and petrochemical applications. A novel fluidized bed membrane reactor has been proposed, where both Pd-based H2 perm-selective membranes and perovskite O2 perm-selective membranes are integrated in two sections, a partial oxidation bottom section and a reforming/shift top section because of the difference in operating temperature of the respective membranes. An experimental study has been carried out to test and validate the reforming/shift top section of this new reactor concept, which operates at conditions differing from conventional steam reformers (viz. lower temperatures and no excess steam). The effects of integrating Pd-based H2 perm-selective membrane in the fluidized bed on the CH4 conversion, the product H2 and product CO2 purity and the power output of the processor have been measured for different operating conditions.