Abstract:
The invention relates to the production of hydrogen by steam reforming comprising the steps of (i) providing a fossil fuel, preferably methane, and steam, (ii) conducting a steam reforming reaction between the fossil fuel and the steam under heating, wherein a reaction mixture is formed comprising hydrogen and carbon dioxide, (iii) separating hydrogen from the reaction mixture by membrane separation, wherein a permeate is formed comprising hydrogen and a retentate comprising carbon dioxide, (iv) purifying carbon dioxide from the retentate, and (v) using said carbon dioxide as a heat exchange medium to supply heat at least for the steam reforming reaction (ii). The method of the invention can also be used for the production of pressurised carbon dioxide characterised by a high purity. Further, the invention relates to a system for hydrogen production and to the use of pressurised carbon dioxide as heat exchange medium.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a process for the production of hydrogen in a reactor system comprising a steam reforming reaction zone comprising a reforming catalyst and a membrane separation zone comprising a hydrogen-selective membrane. The process involves a reaction system of so-called open architecture, wherein the reforming zone and the membrane separation zone operate independently of each other. The invention provides the heat for the reforming reaction through heat exchange from liquid molten salts, preferably heated by solar energy.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a process for the production of methanol from a hydrocarbon feed. Particularly, the process is suitable for a hydrocarbon feed that has not been subjected to the removal of carbon dioxide. The process of the invention comprises the steps of (a) providing a hydrocarbon feed; (b) subjecting the hydrocarbon feed to Catalytic Partial Oxidation (CPO) so as to obtain a synthesis gas mixture; and (c) subjecting the synthesis gas mixture to methanol-forming conditions together with an additional feed of hydrogen (H 2 ), so as to obtain methanol; wherein the hydrocarbon feed is a CO 2 - containing hydrocarbon feed and wherein the Catalytic Partial Oxidation is conducted in the presence of a molar excess of H 2 O, and wherein the additional hydrogen feed is obtained by recovering blowdown gas obtained from the reactor in which the methanol formation takes place and subjecting the recovered gas to pressure swing absorption so as to extract hydrogen therefrom, and wherein gas remaining after hydrogen extraction is recycled as a feed to the Catalytic Partial Oxidation. The process of the invention is particularly suitable for the production of methanol in off-shore circumstances, such as by Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO).
Abstract:
Disclosed is a method and plant for the catalytic dehydrogenation of alkanes, such as propane. The plant is a plant of hybrid architecture wherein one or more membrane-assisted reactor configurations according to open architecture are combined with one or more membrane-containing reactors of closed architecture. Hydrogen remaining in the reaction mixture after separation in the membrane separation unit of a first open architecture configuration, is fed to a first membrane-reactor of the closed architecture type. Also disclosed are methods of modifying plants so as to create the hybrid architecture plant.