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Exergetic and Economic Improvement for a Steam Methane-Reforming Industrial Plant: Simulation Tool

Author

Listed:
  • Francisco Jose Durán

    (Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Castilla—La Mancha, Avda. Camilo José Cela 12, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain)

  • Fernando Dorado

    (Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Castilla—La Mancha, Avda. Camilo José Cela 12, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain)

  • Luz Sanchez-Silva

    (Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Castilla—La Mancha, Avda. Camilo José Cela 12, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain)

Abstract

Steam methane reforming (SMR) for hydrogen production was studied by simulating the reformer and pre-reformer sections. This simulation was validated by using available data taken from a real industrial plant, which enabled precise correlations with the real industrial process to be found. Moreover, the influence of the molar ratio between the raw materials (steam-to-carbon molar ratio, S/C) and the reformer outlet temperature ( T cc ) was studied. The energy requirements for the reforming reaction increased with the S/C ratio. The energy needed for developing the reforming reaction also increased with T cc , but the hydrogen yield when operating with a high S/C ratio and T cc increased. In addition, an exergetic analysis was carried out to identify exergy losses in the SMR process, and most were destroyed in the chemical reactors. Increasing the combustion air flow was proposed for finding an optimum value for exergetic efficiency in the process, thereby reducing fuel consumption. Finally, there was a study into the economic viability of this investment, with a reduction of 22% in utility costs with the optimum exergetic value.

Suggested Citation

  • Francisco Jose Durán & Fernando Dorado & Luz Sanchez-Silva, 2020. "Exergetic and Economic Improvement for a Steam Methane-Reforming Industrial Plant: Simulation Tool," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-15, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:15:p:3807-:d:389164
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Pashchenko, Dmitry, 2018. "First law energy analysis of thermochemical waste-heat recuperation by steam methane reforming," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 478-487.
    2. BoroumandJazi, G. & Rismanchi, B. & Saidur, R., 2013. "A review on exergy analysis of industrial sector," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 27(C), pages 198-203.
    3. Nikolaidis, Pavlos & Poullikkas, Andreas, 2017. "A comparative overview of hydrogen production processes," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 597-611.
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