Effect of enhanced mixing on partial oxidation of methane in a novel micro-reactor

A miniaturised hydrogen generator is being developed for small mobile/onboard fuel cell applications based on the concept of partial oxidation of methane (POM). The generator comprises several hundred micro-reactors each in the shape of a tubular vessel fitted with a multi-holed baffle-plate for mixing enhancement. Experiments were conducted on 1:1 scale replicas of the reactor over a range of temperatures between 300 and 1000 °C under both catalytic and non-catalytic conditions. Results indicate that the application of the multi-holed baffle-plate considerably improves the conversion rates of reactants and the selectivity of desired products (i.e. H2) especially when rhodium is used as a catalyst. To the contrary, increasing pressure led to the formation of undesirable soot residues, a reduction in methane conversion and a deterioration of the hydrogen selectivity.