Autothermal Reforming of Methane with Integrated CO2 Capture in a Novel Fluidized Bed Membrane Reactor. Part 1: Experimental Demonstration

Two fluidized bed membrane reactor concepts for hydrogen production via autothermal reforming of methane with integrated CO 2 capture are proposed. Ultra-pure hydrogen is obtained via hydrogen perm-selective Pd-based membranes, while the required reaction energy is supplied by oxidizing part of the CH 4 in situ in the methane combustion configuration or by combusting part of the permeated H 2 in the hydrogen combustion configuration (oxidative sweeping). In this first part, the technical feasibility of the two concepts has been studied experimentally, investigating the reactor performance (CH 4 conversion, CO selectivity, H 2 production and H 2 yield) at different operating conditions. A more detailed comparison of the performance of the two proposed reactor concepts is carried out with a simulation study and is presented in the second part of this work.