H2A Case Study: Future Central Natural Gas Reforming without Sequestration

Project Summary

Full Title:	H2A Case Study: Longer-Term (2020-2030) Hydrogen from Natural Gas without CO2 Capture and Sequestration
Project ID:	240
Principal Investigator:	Darlene Steward
Keywords:	Hydrogen production; steam methane reforming; natural gas

Purpose

Steam reforming of hydrocarbons continues to be the most efficient, economical, and widely used process for production of hydrogen and hydrogen/carbon monoxide mixtures. The process involves a catalytic conversion of the hydrocarbon and steam to hydrogen and carbon oxides. Since the process works only with light hydrocarbons that can be vaporized completely without carbon formation, the feedstocks used range from methane (natural gas) to naphtha to No. 2 fuel oil.

Performer

Principal Investigator:	Darlene Steward
Organization:	National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
Address:	1617 Cole Blvd. Golden, CO 80401-3393
Telephone:	303-275-3837
Email:	Darlene_Steward@nrel.gov

Sponsor(s)

Name:	Fred Joseck
Organization:	DOE/EERE/HFCIT
Telephone:	202-586-7932
Email:	Fred.Joseck@ee.doe.gov

Period of Performance

Start:	October 2004
End:	May 2008

Project Description

Type of Project:	Analysis
Category:	Hydrogen Fuel Pathways

Methodology/Approach:	Material and energy balances in Aspen Plus®; Installed equipment costing based on grass roots estimate of commercial offering

Models Used:	H2A Production Model

Timeframe Studied:	2020 - 2030

Products/Deliverables

	Description: Spreadsheet Analysis Publication Title: Longer-Term (2020-2030) Hydrogen from Natural Gas without CO2 Capture and Sequestration Publisher: National Renewable Energy Laboratory Author Name(s): Steward, Darlene http://www.hydrogen.energy.gov/h2a_prod_studies.html Publication Date: May 2008

Notes/Comments:	Natural gas is fed to the plant from the pipeline at a pressure of 450 psia. The gas is generally sulfur-free, but odorizers with mercaptans must be cleaned from the gas to prevent contamination of the reformer catalyst. The desulfurized natural gas feedstock is mixed with process steam to be reacted over a nickel based catalyst contained inside of a system of high alloy steel tubes. The reforming reaction is strongly endothermic, and the metallurgy of the tubes usually limits the reaction temperature to 1400-1700oF. The flue gas path of the fired reformer is integrated with additional boiler surfaces to produce about 700,000 lb/hour steam. Of this, about 450,000 lb/hour is superheated to 450 psia and 750°F, to be added to the incoming natural gas. Additional steam from the boiler is sent off-site. After the reformer, the process gas mixture of CO and H2 passes through a heat recovery step and is fed into a water gas shift reactor to produce additional H2.

Notes/Comments:

Natural gas is fed to the plant from the pipeline at a pressure of 450 psia. The gas is generally sulfur-free, but odorizers with mercaptans must be cleaned from the gas to prevent contamination of the reformer catalyst. The desulfurized natural gas feedstock is mixed with process steam to be reacted over a nickel based catalyst contained inside of a system of high alloy steel tubes. The reforming reaction is strongly endothermic, and the metallurgy of the tubes usually limits the reaction temperature to 1400-1700oF. The flue gas path of the fired reformer is integrated with additional boiler surfaces to produce about 700,000 lb/hour steam. Of this, about 450,000 lb/hour is superheated to 450 psia and 750°F, to be added to the incoming natural gas. Additional steam from the boiler is sent off-site. After the reformer, the process gas mixture of CO and H2 passes through a heat recovery step and is fed into a water gas shift reactor to produce additional H2.

Date Last Updated: 10/01/2008