CFD Analysis of the Channel Shape Effect in Monolith Catalysts for the CH4 Partial Oxidation on Rh

Catalysts monoliths with circular and square ducts are theoretically analyzed in detail as reactor configurations for the adiabatic CH4 partial oxidation on Rh for short-contact-times hydrogen production. By the means of CFD coupled with a detailed microkinetic description of the surface reactivity, it was found that the different transport properties of the investigated configurations primarily affect the thermal behavior of the reactor. O2 consumption is fully external mass transfer limited, and thus, local variations in mass transport properties are responsible of the differences in surface temperature.