Reactor Sizing for Hydrogen Production from Ethane over Ni Catalyst

In this study, kinetics data was obtained for steam reforming reaction of ethane over the nickel catalyst. The variables of steam reforming reaction were reaction temperature, partial pressure of ethane, and mole ratio of steam and ethane. Parameters for the power rate law kinetic model and the Langmuir-Hinshelwood model were obtained from the kinetic data. Also, sizing of steam reforming reactor was performed by using PRO/II simulator. For the steam reforming reaction of ethane, Langmuir- Hinshelwood model determining the reaction rate by the surface reaction was better suited than a simple power rate law kinetic model. On water-gas-shift reaction, power rate law kinetic model was well fitted to the kinetic data. Reactor size can be calculated for production of hydrogen through PRO/II simulation.