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Hydrogen (H 2 ) is an important chemical feedstock, mainly applied in the manufacture of ammonia and methanol, and for hydroprocessing operations in petroleum refineries. Also, since H 2 is an energy carrier, it has been considered for stationary power and transportation applications. Hydrogen production technologies are separated into three main categories: thermal, electrolytic and photolytic. In thermal processes, such as reforming and gasification, H 2 is produced from biomass and fossil fuels, such as coal and natural gas. In electrolytic processes, H 2 is obtained from water-splitting, using electricity that can be generated from a variety of sources, such as wind. In photolytic processes, light energy allows hydrogen production using novel photoelectrochemical and photobiological water-splitting processes. In the U.S., H 2 is mostly produced from natural gas using the thermal steam methane reforming (SMR) process. Natural gas is an important feedstock for H 2 production since it is widely available and presents a high hydrogen-to-carbon ratio, reducing the generation of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) byproduct.

The process

In the process described below and depicted in Figure 1, H 2 is produced from natural gas using an SMR process. The process was compiled based on information available in the chemical literature.

Sulfur removal. Natural gas feedstock is purified by catalytic treatment with H 2 for removal of sulfur impurities. In the hydrotreater, H 2 reacts, over a catalyst, with sulfur compounds present in the feed stream to form hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S), which is then adsorbed in the desulfurizer. Steam reforming. Purified natural gas is mixed with high-temperature steam and reformed into CO and H 2 . The reforming reaction requires a large amount of heat and takes place in an externally fired tubular reactor filled with catalyst. Water-gas shift. CO and steam react in a catalytic water-gas shift reaction, forming additional H 2 and CO 2 . Purification. CO 2 and other impurities are removed from the H 2 stream in a pressure-swing adsorption (PSA) system. The purge stream from the PSA system is recycled to the reformer, where it is burned with fuel to provide heat to the reaction. The H 2 product obtained has purities of 99.99 wt.%.

Economic evaluation

An economic evaluation of the process was conducted based on the following assumptions: A central facility with a nominal capacity of 450,000 ton/yr of H 2 erected on the U.S. Gulf Coast Distribution costs and storage for feedstock and product were not considered The estimated total fixed investment for the construction of this plant is about $460 million.

Global perspective

There are three kinds of facilities for H 2 production: central, semi-central and distributed facilities (Figure 2). They differ in their location and scale of production, characteristics that directly affect H 2 cost, competitiveness and timeframe to market.