H2 Technology

Hydrogen Production and Purification

Steam Methane Reforming

Steam reforming of hydrocarbons is conventionally used for feedstock production for methanol synthesis, hydrogen production, ammonia synthesis and Fisher-Tropsch synthesis. Syn-Gas or Hydrogen can be produced using the Steam Methane Reforming process.

In the case of hydrogen production, the methane reforming step is followed by the Water Gas Shift (WGS) reaction. During that process the carbon monoxide part of the syn-gas produced is reacted with steam over a catalyst to be converted into carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen. The WGS reaction is first produced at a temperature of 350˚C which is called High Temperature Shift (HTS). The reaction is further completed at a lower temperature 190˚C to 210˚C Low Temperature Shift (LTS).

EAJV produces small to medium size SMR systems for the GTL industry in the range of 50,000 Nm3/h to 200,000 Nm3/h of syn-gas. We also produce small SMR system for the production of hydrogen.

Steam Methanol Reforming

Hydrogen production through Steam Methanol Reforming (SMR). The methanol feedstock is mixed with water in specified ratio and pressurized. This mixture is passed through evaporator, metering pump and super heater. The hot gas mixture is then fed into a catalytic reactor. The reaction of methanol reforming and the water shift reaction take place in the catalytic reactor of fixed beds simultaneously to form a mixture of H2 and CO2.Hydrogen is then extracted using the Pressure Swing Adsorption process. EAJV builds hydrogen production plants using methanol or methane as feedstock. Plant capacity is available from a few hundred to several thousand cubic meters per hour.

Hydrogen Purification

EAJV hydrogen separators/ purifiers operate on the Pressure Swing Adsorption process, also known as PSA Technology. This technology is based on the selective adsorption phenomena of gas molecules under pressure on the surface of highly porous and efficient adsorbent, In the case of Hydrogen generation the Adsorbent is Carbon-based Molecular Sieve (CMS). When hydrogen and carbon dioxide from the water shift reaction are used for hydrogen generation, the adsorption towers are filled with CMS.

The molecules of carbon dioxide, moisture and other gases are adsorbed on the surface of CMS. Hydrogen which is not adsorbed by CMS passes through the adsorption tower and is collected in a vessel.

For continuous generation of hydrogen multiple adsorption towers are provided and are operated with auto change-over valves controlled by a PLC. After saturation of one tower with carbon dioxide the process automatically changes over to the next tower and thus the hydrogen production is continuous.

Long-Term Technical Assistance

Hydrogen production catalyst and purification media as well as technical assistance are available from EAJV on a long-term contract basis. With this contractual arrangement, the latest advances in H2 production technology and adsorbent media developments are transmitted to the client on a regular basis to ensure that all plants supplied by EAJV Technology benefit from the highest efficiency as well as the highest plant availability.