Catalytic combustion in a plate type combustor to achieve uniform temperature distribution

Optimization of a catalytic combustor constructed using thin honeycomb ceramic substrates is reported herein. Honeycomb ceramic catalytic combustor is capable of providing heat to a dimethyl ether (DME) reformer, which is an essential requirement for an endothermic reforming process. The function of the proposed catalytic combustor is to maintain a uniform temperature distribution up to 500 °C. A fixed-bed flow reactor type combustor was set to operate under atmospheric pressure, and Pt/γ-Al 2 O 3 catalyst was coated on the cordierite substrate (600 cell per square inch(cpsi)). Experimental variables considered in this study include the composition of multi-catalyst blocks, flow distributor, excess air ratio, space velocity, exit area ratio of the burner, and type of fuel. While performing the parametric study, the space velocity was selected in the range of 18000-27000 h -1 to ensure stable combustion (root mean square error (RMSE) < 10). For catalytic combustors employing C3H8 as fuel, optimized T-shaped and SiC foam distributors comprising three catalyst blocks with 50 % minimum area ratio of the combustor outlet were deemed as the best design combination in terms of superior combustion performance with temperature uniformity and no exhaust pollutants. For catalytic combustors fueled with DME, temperature variation on the surface of the combustor could be maintained within 17.6 °C of the reference temperature value.