ECN: The Hydrogen Membrane Reformer (H2MR)

ECN

The Hydrogen Membrane Reformer (H2MR)

The H2MR is an innovative reformer concept that offers significant cost and energy savings. Calculations have shown that the energy use compared to the conventional process can be reduced by 25%. Applications where membrane reactors can be of interest include large-scale hydrogen production (e.g. for ammonia or methanol production and refinery applications), on-site hydrogen generation and decarbonisation of fossil fuels by CO2 capture.

H2MR is basically a membrane assisted reformer. Integration of separation and reaction in one reactor has one major advantage: by removing the hydrogen from reaction zone we can drive the reaction almost to completion without going to extreme temperature as in conventional reformers. In addition, this concept  enables CO2 to be captured under high pressure in large scale hydrogen production plants. 

Membrane reactor

Status of research

A consortium was set up in 2007 to develop the H2MR technology in the Netherlands consisting of ECN, HyGear, Continental Engineers and the Eindhoven University. In this project we have developed the fully integrated design of the 5 Nm3/h membrane reactor. In the follow-up Carena project, installation and testing at ECN of this reactor will be performed.

Milestones which we have achieved thus far in the development of the hydrogen membrane reactor include:

  •  Thin-film hydrogen selective membranes based on in-expensive commercially available ceramic supports can be routinely manufactured >>
  • Duration testing of hydrogen selective membranes for prolonged time (>6000 hours)
  • Single-tube membrane reactor operation at  >90 % conversion at moderate temperature.
  • Novel patented sealing method to join ceramic and metal parts with very low leakage.
  • Design of a fully integrated membrane reactor >>
High pressure gas separation installation

Industrial relevance

Hydrogen is an important industrial gas. It is used in large amounts to make important “every-day products” such as margarine, plastics, fertilizers and cleaner motor fuels. About 80% of the worldwide hydrogen production uses natural gas as raw material. Industrial hydrogen production using membrane reactor technology can increase hydrogen production efficiency substantially. This is important in large-scale hydrogen production, for example for ammonia, methanol and other base chemical manufacturing. For on-site reforming lower investment cost and modularity are the main benefits.

In non-industrial applications membrane reactors can play an important role.

  • Hydrogen as an energy carrier also plays key-role in many long term views on a secure, reliable, and clean energy supply. Small-scale hydrogen production for example for refuelling stations is a key technology 
  • Decarbonisation of fossil energy carries by capture and sequestration of CO2 is another potential application of hydrogen membrane reactors. Starting from natural gas or coal a synthesis gas mixture consisting largely of CO and H2 is produce. A membrane reactor is used to simultaneously produce hydrogen from CO through the shift reaction and separate a hydrogen rich mixture for combustion.>>

More information?

For more information on hydrogen membrane development, please contact Mrs. Yvonne van Delft (vandelft@remove-this-part-ecn.nl )  or visit www.hysep.com

 

Publications

Groot, A. de; Delft, Y.C. van; Veen, H.M. van, Membrane reactors for the chemical industry: Understanding Benefits&Barriers, Priorities, Presented at 9th International Conference on Catalysis in Membrane Reactors, Lyon, France, 28 June, 2009-2 July, 2009.

Delft, Y.C. van; Overbeek, J.P.; Saric, M.; Groot, A. de; Dijkstra, J.W.; Jansen, D. ,Towards application of palladium membrane reactors in large scale production of hydrogen, Presented at 8th World Congress on Chemical Engineering, Montreal, Canada, 23-27 August, 2009.

Delft, Y.C. van; Correia, L.A.; Overbeek, J.P.; Meyer, D.F.; Groot, A. de; Dijkstra, J.W.; Jansen, D., Palladium membrane reactors for large scale production of hydrogen, Presented at 8th International Conference on Catalysis in Membrane Reactors, Kolkata, India, 18-21 December, 2007.

Pex, P.P.A.C.; Delft, Y.C. van; Correia, L.A.; Veen, H.M. van; Jansen, D.; Dijkstra, J.W., Palladium alloy membranes for energy efficient membrane reactors, Presented at Seventh Netherlands Catalysis and Chemistry Conference, Noordwijkerhout, The Netherlands, 6-8 March, 2006. 

Delft, Y.C. van; Pex, P.P.A.C., Membranes for hydrogen production, Presented at 1st European Hydrogen Energy Conference, Grenoble, France, 2-5 September, 2003.

F.T. Rusting, G. D. Jong, P. P. A. C. Pex and J.A.J.Peters, (2001) WO01/63162A1.

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