Two-dimensional modeling of selective CO oxidation in a hydrogen-rich stream

✍ Scribed by M.H. Akbari; M. Vahabi

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 2010
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 562 KB
• Volume: 35
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0360-3199
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2010.04.084

✦ Synopsis

In this study, carbon monoxide removal by preferential oxidation in a hydrogen-rich stream is simulated between two parallel infinite plates of 150 mm distance. A three-step kinetic is considered that includes carbon monoxide oxidation, hydrogen oxidation and wateregas shift reaction. The walls temperature is in the range of 80e120 C. The function of this microreactor is to reduce carbon monoxide content from about 2% to below 10 ppm, suitable for use in a PEM fuel cell. Based on the problem conditions, the flow is in the continuum regime and application of the NaviereStokes equations is admissible. In order to simulate the reacting flow, continuity, conservations of x-& y-momentum, conservation of energy, conservation of species, state equation and reaction rates are simultaneously solved through SIMPLE algorithm by utilizing power-law scheme. Effects of important parameters including walls temperature, steam content, CO content and O 2 /CO are assessed. It is observed that increasing walls temperature or oxygen content will increase both CO selectivity and conversion. It is also found that by steam addition, CO conversion is improved without significant change of CO selectivity. These results are in good agreement with previous published data.