Catalytic methane combustion in plate-type microreactors with different channel configurations: An experimental study. (8th June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: He, Li; Fan, Yilin; Bellettre, Jérôme; Yue, Jun; Luo, Lingai
• Is Part Of: Chemical engineering science. Volume 236(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-06-08
• Subjects: Catalytic methane combustion -- Microreactor -- Washcoated catalyst -- Channel configuration -- Methane conversion -- Flow distribution; Chemical engineering -- Periodicals; Génie chimique -- Périodiques; Chemical engineering; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 660
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ces.2021.116517
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0009-2509

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Six channel geometries of microreactor were tested for catalytic methane combustion. An optimal catalyst specific loading rendered the highest methane conversion. Usage of coating, flow distribution uniformity and residence time are key factors. Hysteresis effect contributed to maintain the high methane conversion. Design guidelines on the channel geometry in microreactors for the CMC are provided. Abstract: This paper presents an experimental study on the catalytic methane combustion (CMC) in plate-type microreactors with wall-coated Pt/γ-Al2 O3 catalyst. Firstly, the influence of different operational conditions and coating properties on the CMC in the straight parallel-channel microreactor has been investigated. A specific catalyst loading of 57.6 g m −2 was found to yield the highest methane conversion over 3.5 wt% Pt/γ-Al2 O3 . A higher or lower loading tended to decrease the methane conversion due to either the limited internal diffusion through the thicker coating layer or insufficient active sites in the thinner coating layer. Then, the above microreactor was compared with other five different geometries, including cavity, double serpentine microchannels, obstacled microchannels, meshed circuit and vascular network. The double serpentine microchannel geometry presented the highest methane conversion (especially at a relatively low mixture flow rate) due to the appropriate control over the residence time and catalyst coating surface area.