MODERNISATION METHODS OF HYDROGEN PRODUCTION

Today, one of the most widespread processes in modern oil refining is the production and purification of hydrogen, which is used in the production of ammonia, methanol, and plastics. Without it, the production of high-quality motor fuels is impossible, since this gas is involved in the hydrogenation process (hydrotreating) [1]. Currently, at oil refineries and petrochemical plants, hydrogen is obtained in two ways: from natural gas by steam reforming into a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide (synthesis gas), in a catalytic reforming unit, where a mixture of hydrogen and light hydrocarbon gases (hydrogen-containing gas) is released. Most modern oil refineries have a hydrogen production unit, its widespread use in industry is explained by its chemical activity, ease of production and high exothermicity of the process [2].

OPTIMIZATION OF THE PROCESS OF OBTAINING HYDROGEN FROM NATURAL GAS

The paper discusses a plant for the production of hydrogen from natural gas and ways to optimize the technological process. A schematic diagram of section 4100 of the installation for the production of hydrogen-containing gas (HCG) with hydrogen concentration of 99.9% is presented. The control tasks of the hydrogen production unit during deep oil refining using an advanced process control system (APCS) are defined. The results of simulation of the APCS controller functioning at external disturbance are presented. An algorithm for the automatic regulation of loading of section 4100 is proposed

Supporting Conversion Section of Hydrogen Production Unit by Membrane Modules to Produce Extra-Pure Hydrogen and Improving Equilibrium Conversion

The main object of this research is the modification of an industrial hydrogen production unit with palladium-based membrane modules to produce extra-pure hydrogen and shift reactions toward the hydrogen production side. The considered hydrogen production unit includes steam reformer, high and low temperature shift converters, carbon dioxide absorption tower, and methanator. The membrane modules are applied in the catalytic reactors and hydrogen is simultaneously penetrated from the reaction zone toward the sweep gas. In the first step, both conventional and membrane-supported processes are heterogeneously models based on the mass and energy balance equations at steady state condition. Then, the simulation results of conventional process are compared with the plant data to prove the validity of the developed model. Finally, the simulation results of conventional and membrane-supported processes are compared under the same operating condition. In general, applying the membrane module on the system increases hydrogen production rate from 63.95 to 67.21 mole s-1. Based on the simulation results, supporting the conventional with the membrane module increases hydrogen production rate by 5.1%.