Numerical Study on Honeycomb Type Methanol Steam Reformer

• YAMAMOTO Seiji

  Toyota Central R&D Labs., Inc.

• NAGANO Susumu

  Toyota Central R&D Labs., Inc.

• ASANO Takashi

  Toyota Central R&D Labs., Inc.

• OHSAWA Katsuyuki

  Tottori University

Abstract

Experimental and numerical analysis of methanol steam reforming for a fuel cell have been carried out. The reforming catalyst is supported by metal honeycomb to decrease the heat capacity. Conversion performances are improved by segmenting the honeycomb catalyst into several blocks due to the enhancement of mixing of gases and heat transfer at the front edges of segmenting catalyst. Numerical simulation model for methanol steam reforming is developed by changing chemical reactions in the model for exhaust catalyst of internal combustion engines and using a smaller mass transfer coefficient for methanol steam reforming. The calculated results for a plate type methanol steam reformer which generates hydrogen of 7 kW (LHV) are also in good agreement with the measurements. The pattern of heat supply to catalysts and the reformer configuration affect conversion performances. It is predicted that the optimized methanol steam reformer for a 50 kW size fuel cell vehicle has a sufficient compactness.

Journal

• Journal of Environment and Engineering

  Journal of Environment and Engineering 3 (2), 397-409, 2008

  The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers

Keywords

• Fuel Cell
• Methanol Steam Reforming
• Hydrogen
• Simulation

Details

• CRID: 1390001205262900992
• NII Article ID: 130000077034
• DOI: 10.1299/jee.3.397
• ISSN: 1880988X
• Web Site: http://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jee/3/2/3_2_397/_pdf
• Text Lang: en
• Data Source:
  • JaLC
  • Crossref
  • CiNii Articles
• Abstract License Flag: Disallowed