Modeling for industrial heat exchanger type steam reformer

In a heat exchanger type steam methane reformer, the temperature profiles and mole fractions along the axial distance from the top of the reformer can be predicted by using the channel model, considering radiation heat transfer. The cross-section of the reformer tube was divided into several channels as concentric circles and then heat transfer and mass transfer at the interfaces between adjacent channels were considered. Because the steam reformer is operated at high temperature, the radiation and convection were combined into one heat transfer coefficient to simplify the transfer analysis. This model predicts the industrial plant data very well; therefore, it may be used with confidence to design the industrial heat exchanger type reformer.