FDI oriented simulation of an MSR reactor for application in SOFC systems

We propose a modelling approach, applied to an experimental methane steam reforming reactor, aiming at investigating carbon deposition by embedding the kinetics of the methane decomposition reaction. The results show that for a steam/methane feeding mixture with a steam-to-carbon ratio equal to 3, carbon deposition is predicted to occur in the first 0.001 m of the reactor, and this is expected to build-up during time, causing catalyst deactivation and progressive shift of the methane steam reforming and water gas shifting reactions downwards the reactor. The modelling tool is designed to be the basis of a fault detection and isolation tool, aiming at early detection and possible remediation of the coke deposition fault in methane steam reforming reactors for application in SOFC plants.