Volume 58

Hydrogen Production Performance of Methanol Thermochemical Reforming Microreactor based on Topology Optimization Method Zhang Bai, Lianlian Xu, Jasurjon Akhatov, Zheshao Chang, Xin Li, Huan Chen, Haisheng Cui

Abstract

Methanol steam reforming (MSR) is a promising technology capable of continuous and efficient hydrogen production. The miniaturization of the reforming system through microreactors is the preferred choice for distributed mobile hydrogen production. However, the highly integrated design inherently limits heat and mass transport efficiency, which can reduce device lifespan and severely constrain improvements in hydrogen production performance. To enhance the heat and mass transfer and chemical reaction performance within the reforming system, this study employs the variable density method to conduct a topology optimization design of the flow channel structure for a 2D MSR microreactor. The governing equations and objective functions within the design domain are reformulated, and the finite element method is adopted to simulate the fluid flow, heat transfer, and chemical reaction processes occurring in the MSR microreactor. Performance comparisons are made against a homogeneous porous reforming microreactor. The results demonstrate that the microreactor obtained via topology optimization develops thicker flow channels at the inlet and outlet while generating fine-branched channel structures during the gradual structural evolution process. Compared with the homogeneous porous microreactor, the TO-III microreactor exhibits an 87.49% increase in Nusselt number, along with an optimal methanol conversion rate. This study provides a general and potentially highly effective method for improving hydrogen production microreactors.

Keywords methanol steam reforming, hydrogen production, microreactor, topology optimization