Study of Different Configurations for CO2 Removal in SMR Plant for Hydrogen Production

The production of hydrogen by steam methane reforming (SMR) requires a step for purification of the product-rich stream from carbon dioxide, which, after the water gas shift reaction, is the component (other than H2) present in the highest amount.

This work focuses on the evaluation of different configurations for the MDEA scrubbing system with the aim of defining a scheme that allows for energy saving. This is fundamental for this type of processes, in order to make the CCS technology being operated with low economic impacts, also in fields which are not directly related to the power production.

Simulations of the CO2 removal system have been carried out in ASPEN Plus®, customized for the description of the thermodynamically non-ideal system, and the best configuration has been defined.

Results show that modifications of the operating conditions and addition of units as flash vessel or splitter for the rich amine solvent can help in reducing the energy requirement.

Keywords: Refineries, GHGT-14, CO2 removal, shifted syngas, hydrogen production, energy saving

Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation

Moioli, Stefania and Romano, Matteo and Giuffrida, Antonio and Pellegrini, Laura, Study of Different Configurations for CO2 Removal in SMR Plant for Hydrogen Production (July 25, 2018). 14th Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies Conference Melbourne 21-26 October 2018 (GHGT-14) , Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3366382 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3366382