The Effectiveness Factor Determination for a Three-hole Cylindrical Catalyst Pellet in a Steam Methane Reforming Reaction

Abstract

Pressure and temperature effects on steam methane reforming catalysts were investigated. The investigation was carried out by developing an effectiveness factor relation for a three-hole (trefoil) common shape catalyst pellet in industrial units to check the simultaneous effects of pressure and temperature on the extent of the reaction. Two methods for estimation of the effectiveness factor were applied: A—simplified method and B—a new method based on more realistic conditions of the reaction. The results obtained based on this study would be useful for optimizing pressure and temperature of SMR catalysts.

Keywords:

• effectiveness factor
• porous media
• steam methane reforming
• Thiele modulus
• three-hole catalyst pellet