Insights in Steam Reforming of Glycerol in a Fluidized Bed by Computational Fluid Dynamics Modeling

Glycerol reforming technology provides an efficient means for the hydrogen production industry and the utilization of biodiesel-derived crude glycerol. Fluidized bed reactors have potential in interphase mass/heat transfer and mitigating catalyst deactivation. In this study, computational fluid dynamics is used to investigate the performance of glycerol steam reforming in a fluidized bed system. A bubble-structure-dependent drag model is implemented into the two-fluid model to reflect the bubble effect. A three-dimensional simulation is conducted. The model is verified by experimental data. By analysis of the influence of operating conditions and property parameters, it is found that the reaction temperature plays a vital role in the enhancement of hydrogen production.