Production of ultrapure hydrogen in a PdAg membrane reactor using noble metal supported on La-based oxides. Modeling for the dry reforming of methane reaction

A review is presented here of our previous contributions concerning the production of ultrapure hydrogen through the dry reforming of methane conducted in a membrane reactor. The reaction equilibration ratio is the criterion to compare the catalytic performance of the La‐based catalysts used in these studies. The solids were characterized by Laser Raman, X‐ ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction and temperature‐programmed reduction. The different behaviors are discussed taking into account the characterization results. To predict the influence of key process variables on conversion and product composition, a mathematical model is proposed to simulate the membrane reactor built around a palladium–silver membrane with 100% hydrogen selectivity. This study uses the kinetic equations developed for the dry reforming reaction on a Rh/La2O3 catalyst. Copyright © 2009 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.