Thermodynamic analysis of hydrogen production by partial oxidation reforming

Authors

Andrew E. Lutz, Sandia National Laboratories, CaliforniaFollow
Robert W. Bradshaw, Sandia National Laboratories, California
Leslie Bromberg, Plasma Science and Fusion Center
Alex Rabinovich, Plasma Science and Fusion Center

Department

Mechanical Engineering

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

ISSN

0360-3199

Volume

29

Issue

8

DOI

10.1016/j.ijhydene.2003.09.015

First Page

809

Last Page

816

Publication Date

7-1-2004

Abstract

This paper presents thermodynamic analysis of hydrogen production by partial oxidation reforming. The analysis applies two approximations to the chemistry: global reaction balances and chemical equilibrium. The global reaction analysis provides theoretical upper limits on the process in the form of algebraic expressions involving the steam-to-carbon ratio and the oxygen-to-carbon ratio as process parameters. The equilibrium computations provide a more realistic estimate of the expected product composition and thermal efficiency of the process. The equilibrium predictions are compared to experimental data obtained using a first generation plasmatron reformer operated on diesel fuel. The efficiency of this compact reformer was considerably below the theoretical maximum. © 2003 International Association for Hydrogen Energy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Recommended Citation

Lutz, A. E., Bradshaw, R. W., Bromberg, L., & Rabinovich, A. (2004). Thermodynamic analysis of hydrogen production by partial oxidation reforming. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 29(8), 809–816. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2003.09.015
https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/soecs-facarticles/298