The synthesis of green hydrogen from biogas represents a promising option for the future utilization of existing biogas plants – especially in the context of the energy transition and the development of regional hydrogen infrastructures. A recent publication by Edwin Hirtreiter et al. in Chemie Ingenieur Technik introduces a dynamic, two-dimensional reactor model for an integrated shift reactor that is being used in a pilot plant in Krefeld.
The developed reactor utilizes the exothermic heat of the water–gas shift reaction to preheat the biogas for the upstream desulfurization process. At the same time, the cooling of the catalyst bed via an integrated helical coil enables a higher hydrogen yield. The model was validated with extensive measurement data from pilot plant operation, both under steady-state and dynamic conditions.
The results show good agreement between simulation and experiment and provide valuable insights for the further development of modular, automated biogas reforming plants for the production of hydrogen. This work makes an important contribution to the integration of biogas into the green hydrogen economy.
Link to the publication: https://doi.org/10.1002/cite.12007