Theoretical evaluation of Pd Ag membrane reactor performance during biomass steam gasification for hydrogen production using CFD method

In recent years, biomass has been introduced as a promising solution for environmental crisis. Biomass steam gasification is a valuable process for hydrogen production. Main problem of this process is low conversion and low partial pressure of hydrogen in product stream. Pd Ag membrane reactor (MR) can be used in biomass steam gasification to improve the process efficiency. Hence, Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) method was used in this study for a detail modeling and analyzing the biomass steam gasification in a two-dimensional Pd Ag MR. After good agreement of CFD model results with literature experimental data, simulation results was indicated that the Pd Ag MR has better efficiency compared with traditional reactor (TR). Biomass conversion of near 100%, CO selectivity in the range 0–14 and H2 recovery of 70% in the best condition were achieved. In addition, different flow patterns (cocurrent and counter-current modules) were compared for MR and overall efficiency (biomass conversion) of counter-current model was obtained higher than co-current model. In summary, for all operating conditions and modules, Pd Ag MR was showed better efficiency compared with TR.