QUASI-TWO-DIMENSIONAL NUMERICAL MODEL FOR SHOCK WAVE REFORMERS

Ghislain Madiot, S. V. Mahmoodi-Jezeh, Stefan Tüchler, Mark Davidson, Pejman Akbari, Colin D. Copeland

Research output: Chapter or section in a book/report/conference proceedingChapter in a published conference proceeding

2 Citations (SciVal)

Abstract

The article details a numerical investigation of methane pyrolysis inside a shock wave reformer using a quasi-2dimensional (Q2D) Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) CFD model. This work is in support of the New Wave Hydrogen, Inc. (NWH2) proprietary technology development. To take account of the characteristics of the flow in the presence of shock waves, a simplified approach is proposed that captures the gas dynamics during partial opening with a lower computational cost suitable for the wave reformer design. The model is based on the three-dimensional, compressible, and unsteady Navier-Stokes equation coupled with k −ω - SST turbulence closure. Boundary conditions are implemented through a cell-centered approach with fictitious cells outside of the domain boundaries. The numerical results are compared with solutions from a quasi-one-dimensional (Q1D) unsteady model reported in literature. The simulations show a good agreement between the two different modelling approaches in terms of spatial distribution of the pressure gradient for one complete cycle. It is observed from the Q2D results that the entrance for each passage, especially upon opening of the high-pressure driver gas port, is a location of particular interest in the formation of the shock. The resulting acute pressure gradients induce loss inside the channel, decreasing the maximum temperature during a complete wave cycle by 15%, and consequently, reducing the methane pyrolysis process.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationCoal, Biomass, Hydrogen, and Alternative Fuels; Controls, Diagnostics, and Instrumentation; Steam Turbine
PublisherThe American Society of Mechanical Engineers(ASME)
ISBN (Electronic)9780791885987
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 28 Oct 2022
EventASME Turbo Expo 2022: Turbomachinery Technical Conference and Exposition, GT 2022 - Rotterdam, Netherlands
Duration: 13 Jun 202217 Jun 2022

Publication series

NameProceedings of the ASME Turbo Expo
Volume2

Conference

ConferenceASME Turbo Expo 2022: Turbomachinery Technical Conference and Exposition, GT 2022
Country/TerritoryNetherlands
CityRotterdam
Period13/06/2217/06/22

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The authors would like to thank and acknowledge New Wave Hydrogen, Inc. (NWH2) and co-funding groups including, Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA), TotalEnergies, the Natural Gas Innovation Fund (NGIF) and its members, and GRTgaz.

Funding

The authors would like to thank and acknowledge New Wave Hydrogen, Inc. (NWH2) and co-funding groups including, Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA), TotalEnergies, the Natural Gas Innovation Fund (NGIF) and its members, and GRTgaz.

Keywords

  • hydrogen
  • methane pyrolysis
  • shock heating
  • wave chemical reactor
  • wave reformer
  • wave rotor

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Engineering

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