Effects of biogas feed distribution ratio on the reforming efficiency of a direct biogas reforming system for hydrogen production

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy Vol. 49; pp. 234 - 245
• Main Authors: Kim, Hwan, Yoon, Jonghyuk, Kim, Hyongrae, Lee, Byungjin, Hwang, Sangyeon, Uhm, Sunghyun, Song, Hyoungwoon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 02-01-2024
• Subjects: Biogas utilization; Optimized feed distribution ratio; Reforming process; Sustainable hydrogen production; VPSA; SER; Biogas utilization; WGS; SCR; ECE; DMR; MFC; RB; Optimized feed distribution ratio; MFM; Sustainable hydrogen production; SMR; Reforming process; ATR
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2023.07.289

This paper presents a study to optimize biogas feed distribution ratio between the reformer and the burner for hydrogen production. The objective is to improve operational and economic efficiency by optimizing the process and minimizing calorific deficits due to CO2 in direct biogas reforming. The results showed that increasing burner distribution ratio increased energy demand, and decreasing the reformer distribution ratio decreased the energy conversion efficiency. Therefore, an optimized distribution ratio is important. Computational fluid dynamics analysis and experimental investigations show that a 5:5 feed distribution at temperatures above 750 °C facilitates efficient heat transfer to the outer wall of the reforming tube. We believe that this study highlights the importance of optimizing combustion energy and hydrogen production through the distribution ratio while ensuring temperature uniformity in the reformer.
•Direct biogas reforming is a way to reduce process costs.•Optimized biogas ratio is vital for efficient H2 production and minimal heat loss.•Decreasing reformer distribution ratio lowers energy conversion efficiency.•5:5 feed distribution at 750 °C is ideal for heat transfer in reforming gas.•Study contributes to design and operation of biogas-fed hydrogen production systems.