Abstract

This study solved the momentum balance in a catalytic microreactor used for CO2 methanation, and a potential advantage of this microdevice in power-to-gas technology was demonstrated. It was determined that the gas reached a stationary velocity almost instantaneously under methanation conditions, and the effects of the porosity and permeability of the bed on the velocity were analyzed. A practical and rigorous analytical velocity model is proposed which allows precise velocity profiles.& nbsp;The results showed a higher conversion of CO2 to CH4 under conditions where diffusive forces were prevalent, while an increase in flow decreased the catalytic activity when considering only advective forces. In the laminar regime, the diffusive forces in a microreactor are higher than those in a conventional reactor, which represents a comparative advantage in conversion efficiency. (C)& nbsp;2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.