Refining Processes Handbook - 2020 - 227

2020 REFINING PROCESSES HANDBOOK
PROCESS CATEGORIES

COMPANY INDEX

HYDROGEN GENERATION

Steam Methane Reforming

Fuel

Hydrogen

Application: Production of hydrogen (H2 ) for use in refining processes from
hydrocarbon feedstocks-such as natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), refinery
off-gases and naphtha-using the steam-methane-reforming (SMR) process.
Description: The basic process steps are hydro-desulfurization of feedstock; steam
reforming; heat recovery from reformed and combustion flue gas to produce, process
and export steam; single-stage adiabatic high-temperature CO-shift conversion
(alternative shift concepts possible for plant optimization); and final H2 purification
by pressure swing adsorption (PSA).
The reformer furnace has a compact firebox with vertical hanging catalyst
tubes arranged in multiple, parallel rows. Forced draft top-firing burners are
integrated into the fire box ceiling firing downwards without contact to refractory.
Compared to other designs, the number of burners and the requirement for
maintenance of burner and refractory are considerably reduced. Concurrent firing
ensures a uniform temperature profile throughout the reformer tube length. Flame
and stable combustion flow pattern are supported by flue gas-collecting channels
arranged at ground level. Thermal expansion, as well as tube and catalyst weight,
are compensated by an adjustable spring hanger system arranged inside the
penthouse, removing mechanical stress from the outlet headers at ground level.
The radiant reformer box is insulated with multiple layers of ceramic fiber blanket
insulation that is mechanically stable and resistant to thermal stress.
The radiant reformer box is insulated with multiple layers of ceramic fiber
blanket insulation that is mechanically stable and resistant to thermal stress.
Convection section: Depending on H2 product capacity, the convection
section (a series of serial heat exchanger coils) is arranged either vertically with
an induced-draft (ID) flue gas fan and a stack at reformer burner level, or (specifically
for higher capacity units) horizontally at ground level for ease of access and reduced
structural requirements.
Products: H2 product can be purified with Linde's highly efficient PSA process.
H2 product purities up to 99.9999 mol% are possible. Export steam and CO2 can be
valuable byproducts for improved project specific economics.

HP steam

Combustion
air

Feed
LP steam
DMW

Advantages:
*	 A minimized number of forced draft top-firing burners integrated into
the firebox ceiling to achieve a uniform heat flow pattern throughout
the reformer cross section.
*	 Concurrent firing ensures a uniform temperature profile throughout the
reformer tube length. Flame and stable combustion flow pattern are
supported by the flue gas-collecting channels arranged at ground level
between the hot reformed gas headers.
*	 SMR-based hydrogen production results in the lowest specific hydrogen
production cost.
*	 Compared to other designs, SMR-based hydrogen plants are easy to operate,
have low maintenance requirements and require minimum number of
operators. Even unmanned remote operation has been realized.
*	 Designs for 4 yr and more uninterrupted operation is possible.
Continued 
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Refining Processes Handbook - 2020

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