Numerical evaluation of hydrogen production by steam reforming of natural gas

Abstract

Industry-scale hydrogen is mainly produced by steam methane reforming (SMR), which uses natural gas as the feedstock and fuel and co-produces CO 2 . This study aims to numerically evaluate hydrogen production by SMR under various reacting conditions. Unlike the previous studies with limited scenarios, the performance of SMR is continuously evaluated in a high-dimensional input-parameter space. The SMR plant including a combustor, a reformer, and a water-gas shifter is modeled in Aspen HYSYS software. The four key parameters, including methane fraction of the feedstock, reformer pressure and temperature, and shifter temperature, are treated uncertain and 50 samples are drawn from a four-dimensional parameter space defined by their ranges. Each sample is input to HYSYS model and mass ratio of each component in product streams is obtained as the output variables. Based on the 50 pairs of input-output data, response surfaces of the outputs are developed to surrogate HYSYS models. The fast response surface models are then used to calculate global sensitivity indices and evaluate SMR processes. Results show the reformer performance is controlled by temperature rather than pressure, and a temperature higher than 900 • C can maximize the reaction rate. The water-gas shifting reaction is inhibited in the reformer but significantly enhanced in the shifter. Hydrogen is mainly produced in the reformer while the major function of the shifter is to convert CO to nontoxic CO 2 .

Green Hydrogen: Perspectives and Challenges in Using the Natural Gas Network in Ceará/Brazil

“…Production methods, predominantly based on fossil fuels, generate CO 2 emissions, with steam methane reforming (SMR) being the most economical and globally used (Chen et al, 2023b). Nevertheless, alternatives such as water electrolysis and studies on innovative sources, such as green algae and natural hydrogen, offer more sustainable prospects (Hren et al, 2023;Lora & Venturini, 2012).…”

Achieving Highly Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution through the Construction of g-C3N4@PdS@Pt Nanocomposites

“…Thus, it stands as a pivotal clean energy source, offering promise in alleviating the dual pressures of energy scarcity and environmental pollution [ 3 ]. Diverse methods exist for hydrogen production, encompassing electric water decomposition [ 4 ], metal–acid reactions, thermal compound decomposition [ 5 ], steam reforming of natural gas [ 6 ], and the photocatalytic splitting of water [ 7 , 8 , 9 ]. While the initial three methods exhibit drawbacks, photocatalytic hydrogen production via water splitting is heralded as a green and sustainable avenue for solar energy conversion [ 10 , 11 , 12 ].…”