Evaluation of the Effect of CaO on Hydrogen Production by Sorption-Enhanced Steam Methane Reforming

Abstract

The effect of heat released during CaO adsorption on sorption-enhanced steam methane reforming for hydrogen production is insufficiently understood. On this basis, Aspen Plus is used to study the effect of steam methane reforming on hydrogen production without/with CaO. At 700 °C and an O2 inflow of 7 mol/h, the molar flow and molar percentages of H2 are 20.62 and 67.35%. After adding CaO, at 700 °C with 4.5 mol/h of CaO, the heat release of CaO adsorption is 1.32 MJ/h, and the O2 inflow reduces to 4.3 mol/h. The molar flow and molar percentage of H2 are 22.80 mol/h and 85.94%. When 1.2 mol/h CH4 is combusted for CaCO3 decomposition in the calciner, regenerated CaO is transferred to the reforming reactor for calcium cycling, which consumes 2.4 mol/h of O2. For the entire cycle, 6.7 mol/h of O2