Hydrogen has always played a crucial role in industrial processes ranging from hydrocarbon refining to pharmaceuticals manufacture, float glass production, food processing and much more in between. Now with moves towards developing hydrogen as an alternative to fossil fuels, it’s set to become more important than ever. As new uses for hydrogen come into play, gas companies are working to develop new methods to produce and supply this essential gas.
Hydrogen is an abundant element in all types of hydrocarbons, water (H2O) and industrial by-products such as ammonia (NH3). It can be produced in a variety of ways; the aim is to match product quality with a customer’s requirements at the right price. It is typically manufactured from hydrocarbons, ammonia or water. The method used depends on the volumes and purities required and what raw materials are available. Whether by-products, such as steam, carbon monoxide (CO) or carbon dioxide (CO2), can be used elsewhere on the site also figures into the process economics. So does energy efficiency, typically expressed in terms of natural gas equivalent (NGE); a lower NGE rating indicates a more efficient process.
Manufacturing methods
The major manufacturing process used to produce hydrogen for large scale users – such as refineries that require supplies of more than 10,000 Nm3/h high-purity hydrogen – include steam reforming, partial oxidation (POX) and coal gasification.
Hydrogen for large-scale users is often produced in on-site plants. In choosing the best method for a particular customer, the gas companies balance the amounts required against the feedstocks available and the value of the by-products produced.
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