Numerical Analysis of Perforated Ribs Bottom-Inserted on the Ducts of Methanol Steam Reforming Reactor

Designing a methanol steam reforming reactor (MSRR) is crucial since it provides hydrogen to the proton exchange membrane fuel cell. The 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) work then investigates the MSSR’s conversion capabilities with perforated ribs at the bottom of ducts. The perforated ribs are feasible with various bore diameters (Dbore) and drawing different rib heights (Hrib). The results reveal that perforated ribs placed on the bottom of the reactor ducts significantly increase MSRR capacity and hydrogen production. This work contrasts the usual MSRR engraved by parallel ducts without ribs. This innovative model features 1.5 mm solid ribs, offering a supreme fuel-reforming capacity. The hydrogen output and methanol conversion improve by 49.23% (the mole concentration of hydrogen is 0.00941 kmol/m3) and 17.51% (the methanol conversion is 80.18%). However, while it weighs pumping energy, the other novel one, inserted by the perforated ribs of Dbore 0.31875 mm and Hrib 1.275 mm, achieves the maximum performance factor of 1.1316 when Twall is at 250°C, and the CO liberation is permitted. In addition, employing self-experimental data validates the CFD forecast results of the best revolutionary reactor.