Steam Reformer
Application ID: 3861
In fuel cell power generators, a steam reformer unit typically produces the hydrogen needed for the cell stack.
This example illustrates the modeling of a steam reformer. The reformation chemistry occurs in a porous catalytic bed where energy is supplied through heating tubes to drive the endothermal reaction system. The reactor is enclosed in an insulating jacket.
The tightly coupled system of mass, energy and momentum equations used to describe the system are readily set up using the predefined modeling interfaces of the Chemical Reaction Engineering Module.
This model example illustrates applications of this type that would nominally be built using the following products:
however, additional products may be required to completely define and model it. Furthermore, this example may also be defined and modeled using components from the following product combinations:
- COMSOL Multiphysics® and
- either the Battery Design Module, Chemical Reaction Engineering Module, or Fuel Cell & Electrolyzer Module
The combination of COMSOL® products required to model your application depends on several factors and may include boundary conditions, material properties, physics interfaces, and part libraries. Particular functionality may be common to several products. To determine the right combination of products for your modeling needs, review the Specification Chart and make use of a free evaluation license. The COMSOL Sales and Support teams are available for answering any questions you may have regarding this.