Computational Fluid Dynamics Modeling of Solar Thermal Dry Reforming of Methane in a Parabolic Trough

Abstract

Computational fluid dynamics simulations of solar-thermal dry reforming of methane using a parabolic trough configuration were performed. Parametric simulations of different combinations of gas flow rate, receiver tube emissivity, and geometric concentration ratio were conducted to determine configurations that could achieve the required catalyst temperatures of at least 700 °C to achieve high conversion of CH₄ and CO₂ to H₂ and CO. Results showed that the concentration ratio of the parabolic trough collector had to be increased from ~70 to ~120 and the receiver-tube emissivity had to be reduced to ~0.2 to achieve bulk average catalyst temperatures of greater than 700 °C.  Lower gas flow rates also reduced enthalpic heat losses and increased catalyst temperatures.