Abstract
In a previous study, we developed an integrated reaction system combining NH(3) decomposition and CO(2) methanation within a membrane reactor, significantly enhancing reactor performance through efficient H(2) separation. Ru/Ba/γ-Al(2)O(3) and Ru/ZrO(2) were employed as catalysts for each reaction. To ensure the accuracy and reliability of our results, they were validated through 1D models using FlexPDE Professional Version 7.21/W64 software. Key parameters such as reactor arrangement, catalyst bed positioning, overall heat transfer coefficient, rate constants, and H(2) permeance were investigated to optimize system efficiency. The study revealed that positioning the NH(3) decomposition on the shell side and CO(2) methanation on the tube side resulted in a better performance. Additionally, shifting the methanation catalyst bed downward by approximately one-eighth (10 mm from 80 mm) achieves the highest CO(2) conversion. A sensitivity analysis identified the rate constant of the NH(3) decomposition catalyst and the H(2) permeance of the membrane as the most influential factors in enhancing CO(2) conversion. This highlights the priority of improving membrane H(2) permeance and catalytic activity for NH(3) decomposition to maximize system efficiency.