CPFD Software is proud to announce our collaboration with the University of Hull in pioneering research on low-carbon hydrogen production
Sorption-enhanced steam reforming (SE-SR) is an emerging technology for generating low-carbon hydrogen from fossil fuels such as natural gas. This innovative technology integrates hydrogen production with immediate CO2 capture within a singular unit, comprising a reformer/carbonator, alongside an auxiliary calciner reactor for regenerating the used sorbent. University of Hull’s research delves into the use of interconnected dual fluidised bed reactors to facilitate solid circulation between these units, while also focusing on the scale-up of the process to grasp its performance at significantly larger scales.
Having experienced other Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software packages, PhD researcher Chinonyelum Udemu reflects “I’ve come to value the efficiency and agility of Barracuda [Virtual Reactor] in simulating reactive fluidised bed reactors, particularly those with large concentration of solid particles and substantial dimensions. The software’s parallel GPU capability seamlessly integrates with our university’s High-Performance Computing (HPC) network, significantly accelerating simulation times. Furthermore, its real-time result visualisation enabled us to monitor simulations as they run and troubleshoot any issues, without impacting performance.”
“Scaling up processes using the similitude principle demands meticulous adjustment of design parameters across different scales to ensure consistency.” Chinonyelum adds, “Leveraging Barracuda [Virtual Reactor], we’ve successfully simulated and fine-tuned larger reactor sizes for SE-SR of methane, effectively applying the similitude principle and bypassing the need for extensive physical experimentation and adjustment of reactor dimensions. The tremendous support from the CPFD support team has played a pivotal role in conducting our research. Their prompt responsiveness and adept problem-solving, irrespective of location and time differences, have been exceptional, ensuring that our research progresses smoothly.”
“Our collaboration with the University of Hull exemplifies our commitment to advancing sustainable technologies through cutting-edge simulation tools,” said Niraj Mehta, Solutions Engineer at CPFD Software. “Together, we’re paving the way for innovative solutions in low-carbon hydrogen production. CPFD Software are proud to be working with researchers in this space.”
Findings have been presented at the 2nd FERIA conference at Sheffield, UK in September 2023, and journal publications will be available soon.
About Dr. Font Palma’s Team at University of Hull
The research team is based at the School of Engineering and focuses on low-carbon technologies to contribute to the ambitious target to reach net zero emissions by 2050. Our research covers hydrogen production, carbon capture technologies, cryogenic separation, process simulation, techno-economic analysis, fluidised bed reactors and energy systems modelling. Research projects have been funded by Net Zero Research, Royal Academy of Engineering, IDRIC, UKCCSRC and University of Hull.
About CPFD Software
CPFD Software is advancing multiphase simulation and technology. Our flagship product, Barracuda Virtual Reactor®, is a physics-based engineering software package that simulates the three-dimensional, transient, fluid-particle hydrodynamics, heat balance, and chemical reactions in industrial fluidized bed reactors and other fluid-particle systems.
Virtual Reactor™ enables researchers and engineers working with fluid/particle processes to explore a broad range of ideas, reduce physical testing costs, and minimize development risk, all while accelerating commercialization, scale-up, and overall time to market. For clients who already operate industrial units, Virtual Reactor allows engineers to determine the root cause of underperformance, reduce the risk of changes through virtual testing, and optimize solutions, all while maximizing reliability, uptime, and regulatory compliance initiatives.
The Virtual Reactor technology can be accessed via software licensing, services, or custom collaborative arrangements.