Optimization of Hydrogen Production in Methane Steam Reforming by Simulation of a Single and Double Reformer and Excess Steam Injection

A steady state simulation of hydrogen production from steam methane reforming using equilibrium reactors was performed. Aspen plus software used as simulator tool. For validating the accuracy of the software a comparison between the results of software and equilibrium data of previous works carried out. The simulation was applied to investigate the effect of splitting a single methane reformer with constant temperature to a doubled reactor process with different temperature conditions. The objective of this compartment was to maximize the hydrogen production with minimum CO presence. The results of doubled reactor process showed an incerment in H2 content. For further reduction of CO content an excess steam current introduced to the second reactor. Addition of this excess steam maximizes the produced H2 and in same time minimized the CO content. Sensitivity analysis also employed for consideration of the effects of different rate of injected steam on CH4 conversion H2, CO, and CO2 content