Hydrogen production by natural gas with SRM process

Ceria-Based Materials for Hydrogen Production Via Hydrocarbon Steam
Reforming and Water-Gas Shift Reactions

Abstract: This review paper provides an overview of the use of ceria-based catalytic materials towards the industrial
hydrogen production via the hydrocarbon steam reforming and the water-gas shift reaction routes with a focus on
representative patenting activities mainly in the last 10 years. We first introduce the basic mechanisms of catalytic
hydrocarbon steam reforming and conversion of carbon monoxide by steam towards a mixture of carbon dioxide and
hydrogen at low and high temperatures, the main synthetic approaches of ceria material and its basic structural properties
responsible for its catalytic activity exhibited towards the present reactions. In the case of hydrocarbon steam reforming,
emphasis is given on the (i) sulphur tolerance of catalysts developed, (ii) efforts to reduce the reaction temperature, (iii)
use of the “Absorption Enhanced Reforming” concept, and (iv) its application in fuel cells for power generation. In the
case of water-gas shift reaction, progress in catalyst developments for low- and high- temperature applications is
discussed. Future directions in these fields have been suggested.
Keywords: hydrogen production, CeO2-based catalysts, steam reforming of hydrocarbons, water-gas shift, WGS, auto-thermal
reforming, ATR, absorption enhanced reforming, AER, fuel cell.

Life Cycle Assessment of
Hydrogen Production via
Natural Gas Steam Reforming

REVIEW OF SMALL STATIONARY
REFORMERS FOR
HYDROGEN PRODUCTION

This report to the International Energy Agency (IEA) reviews technical options for small-scale
production of hydrogen via reforming of natural gas or liquid fuels. The focus is on small
stationary systems that produce pure hydrogen at refueling stations for hydrogen-fueled
vehicles. Small reformer-based hydrogen production systems are commercially available from
several vendors. In addition, a variety of small-scale reformer technologies are currently being
developed as components of fuel cell systems (for example, natural gas reformers coupled to
phosphoric acid or proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PAFC or PEMFC) cogeneration
systems, and onboard fuel processors for methanol and gasoline fuel cell vehicles). Although
fuel cell reformers are typically designed to produce a “reformate” gas containing 40%-70%
hydrogen, rather than pure hydrogen, in many cases they could be readily adapted to pure
hydrogen production with the addition of purification stages.
As background, we first discuss hydrogen supply options for the transportation sector; both
“centralized” (e.g. hydrogen production at a large central plant with distribution to refueling
stations via truck or pipeline) and “distributed” (hydrogen production via small-scale reforming or
electrolysis at the refueling site). Several recent studies have suggested that distributed
hydrogen production via small-scale reforming at refueling stations could be an attractive nearto
mid-term option for supplying hydrogen to vehicles, especially in regions with low natural gas
prices.
A variety of reforming technologies that might be used in distributed hydrogen production at
refueling stations are reviewed. These include steam methane reforming (SMR), partial
oxidation (POX), autothermal reforming (ATR), methanol reforming, ammonia cracking and
catalytic cracking of methane. Novel reformer technologies such as sorbent enhanced
reforming, ion transport membranes, and plasma reformers are discussed. The performance
characteristics, development status, economics and research issues are discussed for each
hydrogen production technology.
Current commercial projects to develop and commercialize small-scale reformers are described.

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Production of hydrogen by steam reforming of methanol

Abstract

Binary Cu/ZnO catalysts (with a Cu/Zn atomic ratio of 50/50) prepared via a novel dry synthetic approach based on solid-state oxalate-precursor
synthesis were studied in regard to their performance in the steam reforming of methanol (SRM). The synthesis route involves facile solid-phase
mechanochemical activation of a physical mixture of simple copper/zinc salts and oxalic acid, followed by calcination of the as-ground oxalate
precursors at 350 ◦C. For comparison, their conventional analogues obtained by aqueous coprecipitation techniques were also examined. Structural
characterization of the samples was performed by means of N2 adsorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform
spectroscopy (DRIFTS), thermal gravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), temperatureprogrammed
reduction (H2-TPR), N2O titration, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results show that the grinding-derived Cu/ZnO
catalysts exhibit superior SRM performance to their conventional counterparts obtained by wet-chemical methods. The enhanced performance of
the grinding-derived catalysts can be attributed to a higher copper dispersion as well as the beneficial generation of highly strained Cu nanocrystals
in the working catalyst. It is proposed that the present soft reactive grinding route based on dry oxalate-precursor synthesis can allow the generation
of a new type of Cu/ZnO materials with favorable surface and structural properties, providing an attractive alternative for preparation of improved
heterogeneous catalysts.

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Completion Components lec ( 7 )

Introduction 

The selection of completion equipment and hardware is based on the reservoir,
field, wellbore and operational requirements that will achieve efficient, safe and
economic production.
There are many types of components available, each of which may be specified
in a number of service or dimensional variations, (e.g. H2S or normal service).
Principal completion components are categorized as follows:

•  Production packers
•  Gas lift equipment
• Safety valves
•  Tubing flow control equipment
•  Permanent
•  Retrievable
•  Completion accessories

Production Packers 

The packer is often considered the most important downhole tool in the
production string. Completion packer types vary greatly and are typically
designed to meet specific wellbore or reservoir conditions, (e.g., single or
tandem packer configurations, with single, dual and triple completion strings).
Production packers can have several functions. However, the principal function
of a packer is to provide a means of sealing the tubing string from the casing or
liner. This seal must provide a long-term barrier compatible with reservoir
fluids or gasses and the wellbore annular fluid.
The production packer must also enable efficient flow from the producing (or
injection) formation to the tubing string or production conduit.

Downhole Anchor

 A secondary, but nonetheless important function of most packers is to provide
a downhole anchor for the tubing string. However, cup or isolation packers do
not anchor the tubing stringcontinued next However cup or isolation packers,
do not anchor the tubing string.

Subsurface Safety Valve

These hydraulically operated tubing flow control valves are used offshore, in
critical locations (next to a school or home) and areas of concern of the
environment, the reservoir, the facilities and the personel.

Gas Lift

Sidepocket mandrels with dummy valves are run in new free flowing completions
where workover costs are high and the reservoir will require artificial lift to
deplete.

Tubing Flow Control Equipment

This equipment expands the value of the completion by introducing flexibility.
Nipples, sleeves, plugs, chokes, test tools, standing valves, bomb hangers,
etc. could be utilized.

Casing String
Protection Example

For Casing
String Protection.

In most wellbores, the casing string or liner is a permanent component of the
completion system. Since casing replacement or repair procedures are
complicated and expensive, systems are designed (using packers) to protect
the casing from pressure differentials and corrosive conditions. The packer
and tubing string is typically easier to repair and/or replace than the casing
system.

Formation Safety
Control Example

For Downhole Formation
Safety Control


High Pressure gas and fluids are generally encountered at some depth. In the
absence of heavy completion fluids, a packer provides an effective means of
isolation. The high pressure can then be controlled by subsurface safety
valves in the tubing string attached to the packer. This also enables some
control of pressure on the wellhead. By inserting a tubing plug in the packer,
creating a temporary bridge plug, workover work above the packer can be
carried out with a greater degree of safety.

Multiple Zone
Completion Examples

For Zone Separation

 In multiple zone completions, it is generally necessary to separate the producing
zones for the following reasons:

•  Legality - Government regulations monitor produced flow-rates as

allowable production. Often each production zone must be isolated,
which is more easily accomplished through the use of a packer.

•  Control of formation fluids - Frequently, high and low pressure

zones are encountered. Packers are used to prevent cross flow of
reservoir fluids.

Artificial Lift Example
To Facilitate
Artificial Lift

When using gas lift to enhance production, a packer is utilized to separate
the produced fluid pathway from the injected gas pathway down the
annulus. Packers are often used with ESP’s to facilitate control of well zones.
Tubing anchors are commonly used to increase the efficiency of rod pumps.
Anti-rotational anchors are commonly used with progressive cavity pumps.

Remedial and
Repair Examples

To Facilitate
Remedial / Repair Work


In situations where casing is damaged, two packers can be used to seal off and
bypass the damaged area. With the use of accessory completion equipment,
such as stingers and on-off attachments, tubing can be pulled for repair and/or
replacement without releasing the packer.

Completion course