Impact of inclined ribs inset transversally into the reactor ducts on crucial methanol reforming capacities

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assess the crucial conversion capability of a methanol steam reforming (MSR) reactor used in fuel cell electric generation systems by installing transversely inclined ribs on the bottom of the reactor ducts. This modification can enhance hydrogen production and improve the performance factor of the MSR reactor. Design/methodology/approach This work addresses the novel design of this study by inclining the ribs transversely along the bottom of the reactor duct. The ribs are positioned at various transverse angles (θrib = 30°, 60° and 90°) across the duct’s sidewall and at different heights (Hrib = 1.0, 1.25 and 1.5 mm). The evaluation of thermo-hydraulic and species transport uses a refined SIMPLE-C solution process. This process is integrated with a perfected conjugate gradient (CG) mode when the heating regulator temperature (Twall) is set at 250, 275 or 300 °C. Findings The survey demonstrates that incorporating inclined ribs into the bottom of the MSR reactor duct enhances thermo-hydraulic performance and species transport within the reactor. These ribs increase fuel flow to the catalyst and improve fluid mixing, thereby boosting the fuel reforming capacity. At a wall temperature (Twall) of 250 °C, the maximum hydrogen yield and methanol conversion increase by 32.17 and 13.83%. Considering pumping energy, the MSR reactor with inclined ribs set transversely at 1.25 mm and 60° achieves the highest performance factor of 1.118 at the same temperature. Research limitations/implications The research limitations of the numerical simulation include the use of methanol and water as the vapor phase, the assumption of a steady laminar flow and the neglect of gravity and radiative heat transfer. Practical implications The crucial outcomes of numerical analysis can be used to facilitate fuel conversion and hydrogen yields in the MSR reactor duct design for a plate fuel reforming device with multiple transversely inclined ribs. Originality/value The inclined ribs are transversely embedded at the bottom of the MSR reactor duct. These ribs enhance fuel supply to the catalyst and improve fluid mixing within the reactor by combining main-stream blocking with secondary-stream extrusion effects. This design increases the fuel reforming capacity, resulting in higher hydrogen yield and improved performance factor of the MSR reactor.