Electromagnetic and chemical numerical coupling method in bubbly liquid metal flows for optimization of carbon dioxide free production of hydrogen

T. Fehling - E. Baake

Institute of Electrotechnology, Leibniz University of Hanover, Wilhelm-Busch-Str. 4, 30167 Hanover, Germany

Abstract
The use of hydrogen as an alternative energy offers many applications, they can be found in vehicle technology for fuel cells or as a reducing agent. Classical production methods like steam reforming generate carbon dioxide as a byproduct. In the proposed method, hydrogen is produced CO₂ free by thermal decomposition of methane. To realize the production, methane is injected into a reactor that is filled with liquid tin. Inside the melt, methane bubbles react with carbon and hydrogen. To optimize the reaction, different parameters for influencing the bubble flow are discussed. The focus is set on the electromagnetic stirring of bubbles. A solving method is developed to simulate this effect and will be demonstrated in parameter studies. To get a detailed view on the produced hydrogen, also a chemical calculation method is developed that can be coupled with the electromagnetic solver and allows a validation of the model considered in this article. Figs 6, Refs 9.