Integrated Method of Monitoring and Optimization of Steam Methane Reformer Process
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Processes-759440-peeer-review-v1
Article
Rapid Integrated Method for Continuous Monitoring and Optimization of Steam Methane Reformer
Catalyst in Ammonia Production
The authors present a comprehensive model which takes into account reaction kinetic constants, thermodynamic equations of state, heat fluxes, pressure drop, temperature approach to equilibrium, and catalyst properties for continuous monitoring and optimization of the performance of SMR catalysts. Publication is advisable after some revision.
1. Abstract: “Open source code based on .m file.” Matlab file would be more appropriate.
2. Figure 3. A correlation for the heat transfer coefficient is presented, the Ergun equation and kinetic equations. Please add appropriate references to the caption. It would probably be better if they were in the text, not in the Figure. The manuscript can be published after major revision.
3. The Figures in the pdf are of low resolution, please provide also higher-resolution images.
4. Xu and Froment provided kinetics for Ni/MgAl2O4 catalyst, while the authors simulate the reactions on NiO+CaAl12O19. Please comment on the appropriateness.
5. Please provide also the kinetic constants with references.
6. x-axis label is missing on Figure 12.
7. Figure 6 is the same as Figure 12 in the recently published work from the authors: Advanced Operation of the Steam Methane Reformer by Using Gain-Scheduled Model Predictive Control Nenad Zecevic and Nenad Bolf. A reference to the work is not included. The authors should be aware, that this is not appropriate. Please provide the reference and discussion.
Author Response
Dear Reviewer 1,
please see the attachment.
In case that you will need anything else from my our side, we are standing completely at your disposal.
Sincerely,
Nenad Zečević
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
Presented article completely corresponds to the thematic of the Journal “Processes”. The studies were performed at enough high scientific level.
Article may be published in the Journal nearly in the presented form.
Some insignificant notices, which maybe left on the discretion of the authors.
Maybe the title of the article is to complex and contains too much additional information. In particular, indication “…in Ammonia Production” in the title may be omitted, because such mixtures of carbon (di)oxide, hydrogen etc may be used in other technological processes also, for example methanol synthesis or liquid (at atmospheric pressure) heavy hydrocarbons synthesis – GTL technology. Title may be shorter, for example “Method of Monitoring and Optimization of Steam Methane Reformer Process”.
In 5-th page authors give eq. (1), (2), which express equilibrium constants of SR1 and WGS processes through partial gaseous pressures of reaction mixture. Meanwhile temperature and total pressure in the process are enough high (Table 3, page 9) – nearly 1200 K and 20 atm. I would like to add to the text in 5-th page some justification of ideality of gaseous phase and so disuse of partial fugativities (gaseous activities) instead partial pressures. For example, gaseous phase in internal combustion engines (close to quality composition to this case and also at accelerated temperature and pressure) are not ideal and does not obey Mendeleev-Clapeyron law.
One moment else. How confident are the authors, that reacting gaseous mixtures correspond to the state of chemical equilibrium, but not, for example, to the state of local equilibrium? How quickly achieves chemical equilibrium in reactor?
As reviewer understand, in represented case in the chemical reactor are not realized complete heat equilibrium and mechanic equilibrium (which are characterized by constancy of temperature and pressure). Maybe correctness of use of the chemical equilibrium conditions (also eq. (1), (2) in the 5-th page) would be also correct to reflect there.
Once more, reviewer notices maybe left on the discretion of the authors.
Sincerely Yours, reviewer
18.03.20
Author Response
Dear Reviewer 2,
please see the attachment.
In case that you will need, anything else from our side, we are standing completely at your side.
Sincerely,
Nenad Zečević
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
Thank you for considering the comments. I suggest publication.
