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A 3D Transient CFD Simulation of a Multi-Tubular Reactor for Power to Gas Applications

Author

Listed:
  • Victor Soto

    (Carbon and Catalysis Laboratory (CarboCat), Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universidad de Concepción, P.O. Box 160-C, Concepcion 4070386, Chile)

  • Claudia Ulloa

    (Environmental Engineering Department, Faculty of Environmental Sciences and EULA Chile Centre, Universidad de Concepción, P.O. Box 160-C, Concepcion 4070386, Chile)

  • Ximena Garcia

    (Carbon and Catalysis Laboratory (CarboCat), Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universidad de Concepción, P.O. Box 160-C, Concepcion 4070386, Chile)

Abstract

A 3D stationary CFD study was conducted in our previous work, resulting in a novel reactor design methodology oriented to upgrading biogas through CO 2 methanation. To enhance our design methodology incorporating relevant power to gas operational conditions, a novel transient 3D CFD modelling methodology is employed to simulate the effect of relevant dynamic disruptions on the behaviour of a tubular fixed bed reactor for biogas upgrading. Unlike 1D/2D models, this contribution implements a full 3D shell cooled methanation reactor considering real-world operational conditions. The reactor’s behaviour was analysed considering the hot-spot temperature and the outlet CH 4 mole fraction as the main performance parameters. The reactor start-up and shutdown times were estimated at 330 s and 130 s, respectively. As expected, inlet feed and temperature disruptions prompted “wrong-way” behaviours. A 30 s H 2 feed interruption gave rise to a transient low-temperature hot spot, which dissipated after 60 s H 2 feed was resumed. A 20 K rise in the inlet temperature (523–543 K) triggered a transient low-temperature hot spot (879 to 850 K). On the contrary, a 20 K inlet temperature drop resulted in a transient high-temperature hot spot (879 to 923 K), which exposed the catalyst to its maximum operational temperature. The maximum idle time, which allowed for a warm start of the reactor, was estimated at three hours in the absence of heat sources. No significant impacts were found on the product gas quality (% CH 4 ) under the considered disruptions. Unlike typical 1D/2D simulation works, a 3D model allowed to identify the relevant design issues like the impact of hot-spot displacement on the reactor cooling efficiency.

Suggested Citation

  • Victor Soto & Claudia Ulloa & Ximena Garcia, 2022. "A 3D Transient CFD Simulation of a Multi-Tubular Reactor for Power to Gas Applications," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-21, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:9:p:3383-:d:809475
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Fache, Axel & Marias, Frédéric, 2020. "Dynamic operation of fixed-bed methanation reactors: Yield control by catalyst dilution profile and magnetic induction," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 151(C), pages 865-886.
    2. Uebbing, Jennifer & Rihko-Struckmann, Liisa K. & Sundmacher, Kai, 2019. "Exergetic assessment of CO2 methanation processes for the chemical storage of renewable energies," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 233, pages 271-282.
    3. Sayed Ebrahim Hashemi & Kristian M. Lien & Magne Hillestad & Sondre K. Schnell & Bjørn Austbø, 2021. "Thermodynamic Insight in Design of Methanation Reactor with Water Removal Considering Nexus between CO 2 Conversion and Irreversibilities," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-21, November.
    4. Hidalgo, D. & Martín-Marroquín, J.M., 2020. "Power-to-methane, coupling CO2 capture with fuel production: An overview," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).
    5. Giglio, Emanuele & Pirone, Raffaele & Bensaid, Samir, 2021. "Dynamic modelling of methanation reactors during start-up and regulation in intermittent power-to-gas applications," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 170(C), pages 1040-1051.
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