Reformers

The vast majority of global H2 production is through Steam-Methane Reforming producing what is commonly known as ‘Grey Hydrogen’.

Methane-rich feedstock (typically natural gas) is mixed with high temperature steam at medium pressure and heated in the presence of catalyst to produce Syngas – a mixture of Hydrogen, Carbon Monoxide and Carbon dioxide. This endothermic reaction is driven by the combustion of fuel gas in a furnace known as a primary Steam-Methane Reformer (SMR). The reaction takes place in catalyst filled nickel-alloy tubes at temperatures approaching 1000deg.C. After cooling the syngas undergoes Water-Gas shift conversion to increase the Hydrogen yield and shift the CO to CO2. Pressure swing adsorption is used to separate the Hydrogen from the CO2 and by capturing and sequestering the CO2 the carbon emissions associated with steam-methane reforming are significantly reduced – the resulting product is known as ‘Blue Hydrogen’.

Waste heat from the process gases and combustion exhaust gases is used to generate steam and preheat the steam/methane feeds to the SMR as well as producing steam for export. Optional pre- and post-reforming stages can be incorporated into the plant to maximise the Hydrogen yield for a given thermal input.