Numerical Simulation of a Novel H2/O2 Co-Transport Membrane Reactor for Combined H2O/H2 Removal and Ethylene Production

Abstract

To cut CO2 emissions, we propose to directly convert shale gas into value-added products with a new H2/O2 co-transport membrane (HOTM) reactor. A Multiphysics model has been built to simulate the membrane and the catalytic bed with parameters obtained from experimental validation. The model was used to compare C2 yield and CH4 conversion rate between the membrane reactor and the state-of-the-art fixed-bed reactor with the same dimensions and operating conditions. The results indicate that (1) the membrane reactor is more efficient in consuming CH4 for a given amount of fed O2. (2) The C2 selectivity of the membrane reactor is higher due to the gradual addition of O2 into the reactor. (3) The current proposed membrane reactor can have a decent proton molar flux density but most of the proton molar flux will contribute to producing H2O on the feed side under the current operating conditions. The paper for the first-time projects the performance of the membrane reactor for combined H2O/H2 removal and C2 production. It could be used as important guidance for experimentalists to design next generation natural gas conversion reactors.