Gray hydrogen production through steam methane reforming
During the Steam Methane Reformation process, methane is heated with steam under pressure in the presence of a nickel or platinum catalyst. This produces hydrogen, carbon monoxide and a relatively small amount of carbon dioxide.
A water-gas shift reaction follows where carbon monoxide and steam are reacted using a metal oxide catalyst to produce additional hydrogen and carbon dioxide.
A final step called pressure-swing adsorption is then used to remove carbon dioxide and other impurities from the gas stream leaving essentially pure hydrogen.
Hydrogen production through autothermal reforming
Autothermal reforming is a process in which methane is reacted with oxygen in the presence of steam or carbon dioxide to produce syngas. The syngas produced is composed of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. The process is a partial oxidation where almost all of the carbon dioxide ends up in the pressure swing adsorption tail taking overall carbon dioxide recovery to 98%.
Steam Methane Reforming Process
Solutions for gray hydrogen production
Regardless of the reformer type, Parker technologies are essential to protect the process, to maintain efficiency and to purify the gray hydrogen.
- Reformer Feedwater Filtration
- Natural Gas Filtration
- Gas Filtration Prior to Pressure Swing Adsorber (PSA)
- Fluid Conveyance in SMR
- SMR Sealing Solutions
Learn how Parker is purposefully leading the way in hydrogen production.