Modelling and sequential simulation of multi-tubular metallic membrane and techno-economics of a hydrogen production process employing thin-layer membrane reactor

Type
Article

Authors
Shafiee, Alireza
Arab, Mobin
Lai, Zhiping
Liu, Zongwen
Abbas, Ali

KAUST Department
Advanced Membranes and Porous Materials Research Center
Chemical Engineering Program
Physical Science and Engineering (PSE) Division

KAUST Grant Number
URF/1/1723

Online Publication Date
2016-09-24

Print Publication Date
2016-11

Date
2016-09-24

Abstract
A theoretical model for multi-tubular palladium-based membrane is proposed in this paper and validated against experimental data for two different sized membrane modules that operate at high temperatures. The model is used in a sequential simulation format to describe and analyse pure hydrogen and hydrogen binary mixture separations, and then extended to simulate an industrial scale membrane unit. This model is used as a sub-routine within an ASPEN Plus model to simulate a membrane reactor in a steam reforming hydrogen production plant. A techno-economic analysis is then conducted using the validated model for a plant producing 300 TPD of hydrogen. The plant utilises a thin (2.5 μm) defect-free and selective layer (Pd75Ag25 alloy) membrane reactor. The economic sensitivity analysis results show usefulness in finding the optimum operating condition that achieves minimum hydrogen production cost at break-even point. A hydrogen production cost of 1.98 /kg is estimated while the cost of the thin-layer selective membrane is found to constitute 29% of total process capital cost. These results indicate the competiveness of this thin-layer membrane process against conventional methods of hydrogen production. © 2016 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC

Citation
Shafiee A, Arab M, Lai Z, Liu Z, Abbas A (2016) Modelling and sequential simulation of multi-tubular metallic membrane and techno-economics of a hydrogen production process employing thin-layer membrane reactor. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 41: 19081–19097. Available: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2016.08.172.

Acknowledgements
This work is supported in part by a King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST),URF/1/1723 CRG Award.

Publisher
Elsevier BV

Journal
International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

DOI
10.1016/j.ijhydene.2016.08.172

Additional Links
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360319916305407

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