Yogi Wibisono Budhi
This proposal addresses the production of Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG) for providing energy both for chemical feedstock and heat from CO2 by catalytic reaction in a dynamic fixed bed reactor. The production of methane (CH4) as SNG can be conducted through hydrogenation of CO, usually catalyzed by Ni as active site of material. Subsequently, methane can be converted into energy through utilization as fuel in combustion engines with fewer emissions. Methanation reaction is simultaneously also accompanied by steam formation (WGSR). The objective of this research is to investigate the production of Synthetic Natural Gas (CH4) through hydrogenation of CO in the dynamic operation of fixed bed reactor. The focus of the research is to design the reactor and to develop the transient operation procedure to effectively produce the SNG with high conversion. The research will be carried out through reactor modeling and simulation using package software of FlexPDE version 7. The methanation simulation model will be developed for 1D with transient term involving mass and energy balances. The kinetic data and reaction rate will be taken from literature. This modeling will be conducted to determine the effect of feed ratio and feed flowrate to selectivity, conversion, and productivity in the steady state (base case) and forced unsteady state operation The reactor is assumed to be plug flow model with dimension to be determined at operating pressure of 6.2 bar and a temperature of 560 K. The mass of catalyst in the reactor will be designed. The feed gas mixture consists of H2, CO, and CO2 at certain ratio. The average of superficial velocity in steady condition is 1.5 m/s. The dynamic reactor operation will be studied to determine the proper switching time. Future implementation in Indonesia is profoundly promising due to the need of primary feedstocks and energy. This research will be conducted at Chemical Engineering ITB. The research member consists of competent people in their field: Dr. Yogi Wibisono Budhi (Process Intensification), Dr. Jenny Rizkiana (modeling), Neng Tresna Umi Culsum, SSi.MSi. (PhD student), and Intan Clarissa Sophiana, ST. (Master student). The collaboration between ITB and TU Delft will be targeted in this research. The research output will be targeted for 2 international journal in the joint framework (ITB – TU Delft). The participation in the international conference will also be performed. Keywords: catalytic, reaction, methanation, modeling, dynamic reactor,