Page 45 - Industrial Plant 2015
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RCOef2oCrmapintugreHyindrSotgeeanmPMlaentthane
Impact of emissions reduction technologies on plant performance and economics
Guido Collodi, Giuliana Azzaro
Amec Foster Wheeler
H ydrogen is one of the key concentrations in the earth’s 160,000 Nm3/h
starting materials used in the atmosphere are driving efforts hydrogen production
chemical industry and an to reduce emissions of CO2 by plant based on steam
indispensable part of refinery means of integration of carbon methane reforming,
operation. It plays a major role capture systems into hydrogen designed and
in the production of clean fuels production units. supplied by Amec
and its demand has increased with the The paper will highlight the key Foster Wheeler
introduction of stricter environmental regulations features of the leading
requiring the use of low sulphur gasoline, diesel technology used for hydrogen
and marine fuels. generation at industrial scale,
More than 95% of the hydrogen produced is Steam Methane Reforming
obtained from steam reforming of fossil fuels (natural (SMR), the available options
gas, refinery off-gases and others). for integrating CO2 capture
Hydrogen is used in several oil refining processes system within a SMR based
including hydrocracking, hydrodesulphurisation and plant and the relevant economic impact.
isomerisation. These processes are becoming more
prevalent due to the decreasing quality of crude oil 1. The steam reforming hydrogen
and the decreasing demand for heavier products. plant
Besides hydrogen, significant amount of CO2 is
raised in the process conversion of fossil fuels to Nowadays, steam methane reforming remains the
hydrogen. leading technology for production of hydrogen in the oil
Environmental concerns on increasing CO2 refining, chemical and petrochemical industries.
The basic process of converting natural gas or other
light hydrocarbons into hydrogen in a SMR plant
consists of the following steps:
• feedstock treatment, where sulphur and other
contaminants are removed;
• steam methane reforming, which converts
feedstock and steam to syngas (mainly hydrogen
and carbon monoxide) at high temperature and
moderate pressure; in case of multiple or heavy
feeds and/or for large capacities, an adiabatic,
catalytic pre-reforming step is foreseen upstream
the SMR;
• syngas heat recovery, which includes CO shift
Industrial Plants - May 2015
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