How does steam reforming work?

In steam-methane reforming, methane reacts with steam under 3–25 bar pressure (1 bar = 14.5 psi) in the presence of a catalyst to produce hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and a relatively small amount of carbon dioxide. Steam reforming is endothermic—that is, heat must be supplied to the process for the reaction to proceed.

How is reformer efficiency calculated?

The reformer efficiency is the efficiency with which the reformer converts the fuel to hydrogen. This is equal to the energy content (based on LHV) of the hydrogen out divided by the energy content (based on LHV) of the fuel in.

What catalyst is used in the steam reforming process?

Steam reforming is the reaction of methane (and other higher hydrocarbons) with steam in the presence of a catalyst to form carbon oxides and hydrogen. Most industrial catalysts are based on using nickel as the catalytic component, although platinum group metals (pgms) are used for some specific duties.

Is steam reformer a reactor?

In this conventional reactor system (Figure 1a), the ethanol steam reformer and water gas shift reactor were carried out under the same operating condition. This can be considered as a single reactor for simulation in the Aspen Plus program.

What is a reformer reactor?

A methane reformer is a device based on steam reforming, autothermal reforming or partial oxidation and is a type of chemical synthesis which can produce pure hydrogen gas from methane using a catalyst. Most methods work by exposing methane to a catalyst (usually nickel) at high temperature and pressure.

What is equilibrium approach?

The approach to equilibrium is defined by. Kp =P(CH4)P(H2O)/P(H2)3.P(C) Kp is inversely proportional to temperature, Therefore achieve to good equilibrium position need to use a high temperature. Water gas is also equilibrium as same equations.CO is not depend upon pressure.

How efficient is SMR?

Steam methane reforming (SMR) has high hydrogen yield efficiency (∼ 74%) and is estimated to produce hydrogen at a cost of around $1.8 kg− 1 (US DoE, 2015a). The methane found in natural gas reacts with steam to produce a syngas consisting of hydrogen and carbon monoxide (Eq. 1).

What is the catalyst used in catalytic reforming?

Catalytic reforming uses a catalyst, usually platinum, to produce a similar result. Mixed with hydrogen, naphtha is heated and passed over pellets of catalyst in a series of reactors, under high pressure, producing high-octane gasoline.

Is hydrogen called blue gas?

“Blue” hydrogen – an energy source that involves a process for making hydrogen by using methane in natural gas – is being lauded by many as a clean, green energy to help reduce global warming.