Dynamics of H2 production by steam reforming

The determining step for the dynamics of a fuel cell system including a hydrogen processor is the gas process itself. A simulative approach is presented to calculate the step response of a complete steam reformer system including heat exchangers and shift reactors. This tool enables the prediction of load- and time-depending pressure drop and mole flow. Additional simulations were carried out concerning chemical kinetics. Thermodynamic equilibrium, reaction rate and local temperatures are considered in this model and partial load gas compositions can be calculated. The comparison of the simulative results to experimentally taken data of a manufactured prototype show a reasonable accuracy.