Computational Fluid Dynamics Study of a Steam Reformer Unit Performance to Produce Hydrogen Fuel for PEM Fuel Cell Applications

Electric automobiles get hydrogen nowadays from hydrocarbon reforming fuels. The cost of hydrogen produced by a steam reformer is highly dependent on hydrocarbon fuel prices, and it is currently the cheapest of all hydrogen production technologies. Petroleum consumption and emissions are lower than in gasoline-fueled internal combustion engines. However, even with the upstream phase of processing hydrocarbon hydrogen from hydrocarbon sources, then supplying and conserving it for use in petrol automobiles, the overall greenhouse gas emissions are reduced by more than 90% when compared to existing internal combustion engine vehicles. The computed model will provide a computer-aided method for building and refining the steam reformer at a considerably higher efficiency and lower cost. It runs a parametric analysis of a steam reformer device using a three-dimensional CFD model. The impacts of the reformer are thoroughly investigated and tested under a variety of operating conditions. In this research work, a CFD model involving identification of essential criteria is developed and provided insight into the physical processes that contribute to the performance of a steam reformer under varied operating conditions.