Minimization of entropy generation rate in methanol steam reforming reactor
The methanol steam reforming (MSR) reaction is a prospective method in hydrogen generation because of its operability and high conversion efficiency. Most of the current thermodynamic studies involving MSR use classical thermodynamic methods, while fewer studies have been conducted on the irreversib...
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Elsevier
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Case Studies in Thermal Engineering |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214157X25000255 |
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| author | Rui Kong Shaojun Xia Zhihui Xie Yu Lin |
| author_facet | Rui Kong Shaojun Xia Zhihui Xie Yu Lin |
| author_sort | Rui Kong |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The methanol steam reforming (MSR) reaction is a prospective method in hydrogen generation because of its operability and high conversion efficiency. Most of the current thermodynamic studies involving MSR use classical thermodynamic methods, while fewer studies have been conducted on the irreversibility of the reaction process using finite-time thermodynamic (FTT) methods. In this paper, the kinetic data are fitted to obtain the MSR reaction rate equation and the FTT theory is used to model the MSR reactor. The optimal reactor configuration is investigated with the optimization objective of total entropy generation rate (EGR) minimization at a fixed hydrogen production rate. Based on reference reactor with constant temperature heat supply, optimal control theory is applied to obtain optimal reactors for three cases, i.e. fixed inlet temperature, free inlet temperature, free inlet temperature and steam/carbon (S/C) ratio. Compared with the reference reactor, the optimized total EGR values are reduced by 0.61 %, 5.93 % and 10.37 % respectively. The comparisons show that the decrease in total EGR after optimization is mainly caused by reducing the heat transfer irreversibility, and the optimal profiles of control temperature have a similar distribution pattern. The local EGR due to heat transfer is more uniformly distributed in the axial direction, which conforms approximately to the equalization principle of the entropy production. The findings of the study may provide theoretical guidance for energy-efficient design and industrial application of MSR reactors. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4591d5bbce6c4aeab90092d4a1694070 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2214-157X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Case Studies in Thermal Engineering |
| spelling | doaj-art-4591d5bbce6c4aeab90092d4a16940702025-02-02T05:27:24ZengElsevierCase Studies in Thermal Engineering2214-157X2025-02-0166105765Minimization of entropy generation rate in methanol steam reforming reactorRui Kong0Shaojun Xia1Zhihui Xie2Yu Lin3Institute of Energy Technology Research, Academy of People's Armed Police, Beijing, 100012, China; College of Power Engineering, Naval University of Engineering, Wuhan, 430033, ChinaCollege of Power Engineering, Naval University of Engineering, Wuhan, 430033, China; Corresponding author.College of Power Engineering, Naval University of Engineering, Wuhan, 430033, ChinaInstitute of Energy Technology Research, Academy of People's Armed Police, Beijing, 100012, ChinaThe methanol steam reforming (MSR) reaction is a prospective method in hydrogen generation because of its operability and high conversion efficiency. Most of the current thermodynamic studies involving MSR use classical thermodynamic methods, while fewer studies have been conducted on the irreversibility of the reaction process using finite-time thermodynamic (FTT) methods. In this paper, the kinetic data are fitted to obtain the MSR reaction rate equation and the FTT theory is used to model the MSR reactor. The optimal reactor configuration is investigated with the optimization objective of total entropy generation rate (EGR) minimization at a fixed hydrogen production rate. Based on reference reactor with constant temperature heat supply, optimal control theory is applied to obtain optimal reactors for three cases, i.e. fixed inlet temperature, free inlet temperature, free inlet temperature and steam/carbon (S/C) ratio. Compared with the reference reactor, the optimized total EGR values are reduced by 0.61 %, 5.93 % and 10.37 % respectively. The comparisons show that the decrease in total EGR after optimization is mainly caused by reducing the heat transfer irreversibility, and the optimal profiles of control temperature have a similar distribution pattern. The local EGR due to heat transfer is more uniformly distributed in the axial direction, which conforms approximately to the equalization principle of the entropy production. The findings of the study may provide theoretical guidance for energy-efficient design and industrial application of MSR reactors.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214157X25000255Methanol steam reformingEntropy generation rateHydrogen production rateOptimal control theoryFinite time thermodynamics |
| spellingShingle | Rui Kong Shaojun Xia Zhihui Xie Yu Lin Minimization of entropy generation rate in methanol steam reforming reactor Case Studies in Thermal Engineering Methanol steam reforming Entropy generation rate Hydrogen production rate Optimal control theory Finite time thermodynamics |
| title | Minimization of entropy generation rate in methanol steam reforming reactor |
| title_full | Minimization of entropy generation rate in methanol steam reforming reactor |
| title_fullStr | Minimization of entropy generation rate in methanol steam reforming reactor |
| title_full_unstemmed | Minimization of entropy generation rate in methanol steam reforming reactor |
| title_short | Minimization of entropy generation rate in methanol steam reforming reactor |
| title_sort | minimization of entropy generation rate in methanol steam reforming reactor |
| topic | Methanol steam reforming Entropy generation rate Hydrogen production rate Optimal control theory Finite time thermodynamics |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214157X25000255 |
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