Steam Methane Reforming

Natural gas reforming is an advanced and mature production process that builds upon the existing natural gas pipeline delivery infrastructure. Today, 95% of the hydrogen produced in the globally is made by natural gas reforming in large central plants. This is an important technology pathway for near-term hydrogen production.

Ours is a mature production process, with minimized risk, in which high-temperature steam (700°C–1,000°C) is used to produce hydrogen from a methane source, such as natural gas. 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 as a result our design driven energy integration massively increased the efficiency of our processes.

Subsequently, in what is called the "water-gas shift reaction," we react the carbon monoxide and steam using a catalyst to produce carbon dioxide and more hydrogen. In a final process step called "pressure-swing adsorption," carbon dioxide and other impurities are removed (Acid gas) from the gas stream, leaving essentially pure hydrogen (Sweet gas). Our steam reforming can also be used to produce hydrogen from other fuels, such as ethanol, propane, or even petrol.

Steam-methane reforming reaction
CH4 + H2O (+ heat) → CO + 3H2

Water-gas shift reaction
CO + H2O → CO2 + H2 (+ small amount of heat)

The main energy supply is natural gas