Bound
in organic matter and in water, hydrogen constitutes almost 75% of the
earth's surface and hence the most abundant of all the chemical elements.
Hydrogen gas plants, available in small as well as in large tonnage sizes,
are hydrogen generating systems, used widely as a fuel and in various
industrial purposes. For many manufacturers and suppliers dealing with gas
plants, supplying hydrogen gas plants involve conceptual design,
procurement, detailed engineering, fabrication, construction, start-up,
including distribution and operator training.
Manufacturing Process
of Hydrogen
There are a wide range of sources by which hydrogen in produced in gas
plants, which we are discussing below:
Hydrogen from Fossil Fuels
- Steam Reforming:
A very common method of producing hydrogen, steam reforming implied the
use of thermal energy which helps in separating hydrogen from the carbon
components in methane and methanol. In other words a hydrocarbon gas
like methane (CH4) is combined with steam at high temperatures and
pressures in the presence of a catalyst which in turn produces hydrogen
and CO2
The hydrogen produced is used in the manufacturing of fertilizers,
chemicals and also in the improvement of the quality of petroleum
products. This is considered to be the most cost effective method of
producing hydrogen.
- Partial Oxidation:
Another process of producing hydrogen from fossil fuels is by the
process of reaction of heavier hydrocarbons like coal, oil, and some
biomass products with steam.
Hydrogen from
Renewables
When we talk about renewable energy, it implies the energy derived from
energy sources like wave, wind, solar, tidal etc. which is naturally
replenished and cannot be exhausted. Different processes used in renewable
energy to produce hydrogen is discussed below:
- Electrolysis
By separating the elements of water-H and oxygen (O)-by charging water
with an electrical current is referred to as electrolysis and this is
one popular method of producing hydrogen. Adding an electrolyte like
salt helps in making better the conductivity of the water and increases
the efficiency of the process. The chemical bond between the hydrogen
and oxygen breaks with the electric charge and separates the atomic
components, which create charged particles called ions. The ions are of
two types-the anode, which is positively charged, and the cathode, which
is negatively charged. The anode attracts oxygen and hydrogen gathers at
the cathode.
- Steam Electrolysis
A variation of the conventional electrolysis process, in steam
electrolysis, instead of electricity the energy needed to split the
water is added as heat. At 2500 degree C, water decomposes into hydrogen
and oxygen, making the process more efficient than conventional
electrolysis. This heat can also be provided by a solar energy.
Biological Processes
The third process involved in producing hydrogen is the biological and
photobiological process. Here different types of algae and bacteria are used
to produce hydrogen through photosynthesis or fermentation. The pigments in
certain types of algae under certain conditions absorb solar energy. The
enzyme in the cell acts as a medium to split the water molecules. The
organisms in turn produce hydrogen.
Photoelectrochemical Processes
There are two types of electrochemical systems to produce hydrogen in
photoelectrochemical processes. One uses soluble metal complexes. Similar to
photosynthesis, in this process, when the complex dissolves, it absorbs
solar energy and produces an electrical charge that drives the water
splitting reaction. In the other method which uses semi conducting
electrodes in a photochemical cell, the optical energy is converted into
chemical energy.
Ammonia Cracking
Another method used for the production of hydrogen is ammonia cracking
process. This process is highly recommendable in conditions where ammonia is
used as a raw material, nitrogen does not function as an impurity &
hydrogen is used as a reducing atmosphere
Applications of
Hydrogen Gas Plants
- Refinery & Petrochemicals: Petroleum and petrochemical
manufacturers require a reliable supply of high-quality hydrogen for
their operations.
- Oils Hydrogenation: Hydrogenation of sugars, natural oils is
very important in the production of a variety of consumer goods like
cooking oils, sweeteners, and cleaning products.
- Metals Heat Treating: A hydrogen-containing atmosphere is
required in many metals heat treating processes require to produce a
high quality finished part.
- Glass Manufacturing: It is very essential to have a stable
and consistent hydrogen supply in meeting the strict product quality
standards in the float glass industry.
- Electronics:Due to the sensitivity in electronics
manufacturing, on-site gas plants producing hydrogen provides several
benefits over alternative solutions.
- Transportation Refueling: As the demand for alternative
energy sources increases, the ability to produce hydrogen fuel
economically is becoming increasingly important.
- Welding: Hydrogen gas is required for welding and cutting.
- Chemical Industry: Hydrogen gas acts as synthesis gas for
ammonia synthesis in the chemical Industry.
- Paper & Textiles
- Steel Industry
- Fuel Cells
Buyer's Guide
Things to know before purchasing hydrogen gas plants are
- Hydrogen purity
- Capacity
- Produced gas pressure
- Fire hazard
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- Plant size
- Process description
- Plant description
- Plant control instruments
- Plant performances
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Hydrogen
Plants
