Efficiency of the Thermochemical Heat Recuperation Systems: Heat and Flow-Dynamic Features

An industrial furnace with a thermochemical heat recuperation (TCR) system by steam methane reforming is considered. A method for determining the TCR systems efficiency is proposed. The methodology is based on the determination of the heat recuperation rate. A distinctive feature of the method is taking into account the work losses due to flow-dynamic drag in a packed bed of a thermochemical recuperator. The total recuperated heat and the recuperated heat in the steam generator and the reformer as well as work losses due to flow-dynamic drag are calculated. It is established that the efficiency of the TCR system depends on the methane conversion and with increasing temperature, the efficiency of the TCR system increases. It is shown that work losses due to flow-dynamic drag do not have a significant effect on the energy balance in the TCR systems. It is established that the maximum recuperation rate is for 700C and H2O:CH4=2.