Experimental and quantitative analysis of multiphase catalytic reactions under microfluidic flow conditions and geometries

Catalytic synthesis gas and hydrogen production in coupled and decoupled compact reaction/heat exchange systems are investigated by computational and experimental techniques. Computer-based modeling and simulation studies carried out inthe first phase of the research demonstrate the effects of the structural parameters of microchannel reactors on combustion-assisted conversion of C1 and C2 hydrocarbons and alcohols, and light petroleum distillates to synthesis gas/hydrogen. Outcomes of these studies set the basis for the design and construction of wall-coated catalyst integrated microchannel reactors that are used in the second part of the research involving experimental studies in which microfluidic methane-to-synthesis gas conversions via steam reforming and autothermal reforming mechanisms over Ni, Rh, Ru and Pt-based catalysts are investigated. For each catalyst, impacts of parameters such astemperature, residence time, feed compositions on methane conversion and product distribution/synthesis gas production rates are studied. The wall-coated microchannel reactor performance is also compared with that of a conventional packed-bed reactor configuration under identical conditions. The outcomes clearly show that (i) robust control of heat transfer is possible in compact reaction systems, (ii) synthesis gas pro-duction is possible with energy requirements lower than the amounts used in industrial applications, and (iii) methane conversions and synthesis gas production rates are no-tably higher than those obtained from a packed-bed reactor operated under identical conditions.