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Computational Fluid Dynamics Modeling of Solar Thermal Dry Reforming of Methane in a Parabolic Trough

Journal Article · · SolarPACES Conference Proceedings

Computational fluid dynamics simulations of solar-thermal dry reforming of methane using a parabolic trough configuration were performed. Parametric simulations of different combinations of gas flow rate, receiver tube emissivity, and geometric concentration ratio were conducted to determine configurations that could achieve the required catalyst temperatures of at least 700 °C to achieve high conversion of CH4 and CO2 to H2 and CO. Results showed that the concentration ratio of the parabolic trough collector had to be increased from ~70 to ~120 and the receiver-tube emissivity had to be reduced to ~0.2 to achieve bulk average catalyst temperatures of greater than 700 °C.  Lower gas flow rates also reduced enthalpic heat losses and increased catalyst temperatures.

Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
OSTI ID:
2294153
Journal Information:
SolarPACES Conference Proceedings, Journal Name: SolarPACES Conference Proceedings Vol. 1; ISSN 2751-9899
Publisher:
TIB Open PublishingCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English

References (7)

Mid/low-temperature solar hydrogen generation via dry reforming of methane enhanced in a membrane reactor journal July 2021
Modelling emissions from natural gas flaring journal April 2017
Solar thermal reforming of methane feedstocks for hydrogen and syngas production—A review journal January 2014
A review on solar reforming systems journal June 2016
Flow and Heat Transfer Characteristics Inside Packed and Fluidized Beds journal August 1998
Finite Element Modeling and Ray Tracing of Parabolic Trough Collectors for Evaluation of Optical Intercept Factors With Gravity Loading conference January 2011
Terrestrial Heat Repository for Months of Storage (THERMS): A Novel Radial Thermocline System conference June 2021

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