4.2 The Review of Hydrogen Production Processes
33
4.2.1 The Production of Hydrogen from Fossil Fuels
Steam Methane Reformation
Technology
The SMR process is the most common hydrogen production process. The process is mature and has been used in the bulk chemical industry for decades (Van
Gerwen, Eijgelaar, and Bosma 2019). The hydrogen is produced from two sequential processes: the steam reforming (CH 4 + H 2 0 → CO + 3H 2 ) following by the
water-gas-shift (CO + H 2 O → CO 2 + H 2 ) (Rosetti 2007). The process efficiency
ranges from 65–75% (Staffell et al. 2019).
The SMR process is either integrated into an industrial process or can also be
operated as a standalone system for production of merchant hydrogen. The SMR
technology coupled with CCS aims at carbon neutrality (Collodi et al. 2017).
However, while the CCS system would incur additional costs, its efficiency has
not been demonstrated. At best, 10% of the CO 2 would still be released in the
atmosphere (Fargere et al. 2018). Should the SMR and CCS be carbon neutral, it
would compete with the production of hydrogen from electrolysis.
Cost
The SMR produces hydrogen at a cost of $ 1,30–1,50 kg −1 (Davis et al. n.d.; van
Leeuwen and Mulder 2018). Adding CCS to an SMR based H 2 plant results to an
increase in the LCOH between e 0,021 to e 0,051 Nm 3 H 2 (Collodi et al. 2017).
Coal Gasification
Technology
The coal gasification process is another mature process. It is mainstream in China
due to the higher prices of natural gas and the abundance of the coal resource
(Deng et al. 2010). It is also used in Australia. The process consists on the gasification of carbonaceous materials where both pyrolysis and combustion products
are formed within the gasification chamber. The pyrolysis consists on an anaerobic conversion of the feed material (i.e. coal) into volatile compounds using heat.
The volatile compounds are then combusted in the presence of limited oxygen
supply. Steam is injected working as a reactant and as further source of hydrogen
(C + H 2 O → CO + H 2 , then CO + H 2 O → CO 2 + H 2 ). This process works at
temperatures greater than 1.000 O C (Simons and Bauer 2011). The efficiency of
the process ranges from 45%–65% (Staffell et al. 2019).
Cost
The coal gasification produces hydrogen at a cost of $ 1–1,29 kg −1 (IEA 2019;
Ramsden et al. 2013).
33
4.2.1 The Production of Hydrogen from Fossil Fuels
Steam Methane Reformation
Technology
The SMR process is the most common hydrogen production process. The process is mature and has been used in the bulk chemical industry for decades (Van
Gerwen, Eijgelaar, and Bosma 2019). The hydrogen is produced from two sequential processes: the steam reforming (CH 4 + H 2 0 → CO + 3H 2 ) following by the
water-gas-shift (CO + H 2 O → CO 2 + H 2 ) (Rosetti 2007). The process efficiency
ranges from 65–75% (Staffell et al. 2019).
The SMR process is either integrated into an industrial process or can also be
operated as a standalone system for production of merchant hydrogen. The SMR
technology coupled with CCS aims at carbon neutrality (Collodi et al. 2017).
However, while the CCS system would incur additional costs, its efficiency has
not been demonstrated. At best, 10% of the CO 2 would still be released in the
atmosphere (Fargere et al. 2018). Should the SMR and CCS be carbon neutral, it
would compete with the production of hydrogen from electrolysis.
Cost
The SMR produces hydrogen at a cost of $ 1,30–1,50 kg −1 (Davis et al. n.d.; van
Leeuwen and Mulder 2018). Adding CCS to an SMR based H 2 plant results to an
increase in the LCOH between e 0,021 to e 0,051 Nm 3 H 2 (Collodi et al. 2017).
Coal Gasification
Technology
The coal gasification process is another mature process. It is mainstream in China
due to the higher prices of natural gas and the abundance of the coal resource
(Deng et al. 2010). It is also used in Australia. The process consists on the gasification of carbonaceous materials where both pyrolysis and combustion products
are formed within the gasification chamber. The pyrolysis consists on an anaerobic conversion of the feed material (i.e. coal) into volatile compounds using heat.
The volatile compounds are then combusted in the presence of limited oxygen
supply. Steam is injected working as a reactant and as further source of hydrogen
(C + H 2 O → CO + H 2 , then CO + H 2 O → CO 2 + H 2 ). This process works at
temperatures greater than 1.000 O C (Simons and Bauer 2011). The efficiency of
the process ranges from 45%–65% (Staffell et al. 2019).
Cost
The coal gasification produces hydrogen at a cost of $ 1–1,29 kg −1 (IEA 2019;
Ramsden et al. 2013).