Effect of H2 produced through steam methane reforming on CHP plant efficiency

Olivier Le Corre (1, 2) , Camal Rahmouni (3) , Khalil Saikaly (2) , Ibrahim Dincer (4)

1 GEPEA - Laboratoire de génie des procédés - environnement - agroalimentaire
2 Mines Nantes - Mines Nantes
3 Water Research Center
4 Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science

In situ hydrogen production is carried out by a catalytic reformer kit set up into exhaust gases for a CHP plant based on spark ignition engine running under lean conditions. An overall auto-thermal reforming process is achieved. Hydrogen production is mainly dependent on O2 content in exhaust gases. Experiments are conducted at constant speed at 2 air/fuel ratios and 4 additional natural gas flow rates. H2 content varies in the range 6-10% in vol. H2 content effect is analysed with respect to performance and emissions. Comparing with EGR shows an increasing of electrical efficiency of 1% whilst heat recovery decreases by 1%. NO and HC decrease by 18% and 12%, but CO increases by 14%, respectively. The results show that: (i) graphite joints were destroyed under effect of H2 and high temperature; (ii) a cold spot appeared in the RGR line, and condensation has as consequence a carbon deposit; and (iii) no back-fire or knock occurred. © 2011, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Mots clés: A-carbon; Air/fuel ratio; Autothermal reforming; Catalytic reformers; CHP; CHP plant; Cold spots; Constant speed; Electrical efficiency; Graphite joints; High temperature; In-situ; Lean condition; Performance and emissions; Power; Energy efficiency; Environmental impact; Exhaust gases; Hydrogen; Hydrogen production; Methane; Natural gas; Waste heat; Steam reforming

Domaines: Sciences de l'ingénieur [physics]

Olivier Le Corre, Camal Rahmouni, Khalil Saikaly, Ibrahim Dincer. Effect of H2 produced through steam methane reforming on CHP plant efficiency. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2011, 36 (17), pp.11457-11466. ⟨10.1016/j.ijhydene.2010.11.126⟩. ⟨hal-00841031⟩