Numerical simulation of methane partial oxidation in the burner and combustion chamber of autothermal reformer |
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Authors: | Hadi Amirshaghaghi Akbar Zamaniyan Hadi Ebrahimi Mahshid Zarkesh |
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Affiliation: | 1. Islamic Azad University, Islamshahr Branch, No. 159, 7th Boostan St., Pasdaran Ave. P.O. Box 19585/466 Tehran, Iran;2. Research Institute of Petroleum Industry (RIPI), Gas Research Division, Tehran, Iran |
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Abstract: | This study aims to model the methane partial oxidation process in the burner and combustion chamber of autothermal reactor. The numerical simulation based on this model offers a powerful tool that can assist in reactor design and optimization and scale up of the process saving expensive pilot work. The steady-state governing equations were solved using the SIMPLE algorithm and the effect of turbulence on the mean flow field was accounted for using the RNG k–ε model. A two-step reaction mechanism was used for the gas combustion with CO as the intermediate species. The reaction rates were modeled using an Eddy-Dissipation Model. In terms of the geometrical model, a 3D model for burner was developed while an axis-symmetric model for the combustion chamber was implemented to reduce the computational costs. The model formulated was validated against a currently operating autothermal reactor and then has been used to investigate different aspects of these reactors. Results show that effect of oxygen to methane ratio is more than that of feed temperature. It is demonstrated that a 60% increase in O2/CH4 ratio causes a 15.4% decrease and 42.7% increase in H2/CO ratio and methane conversion, respectively. In contrast, a 60% increase in feed temperature does not have a significant effect on the process. |
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Keywords: | Autothermal reforming Partial oxidation Numerical simulation CFD |
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