Technology Type

Steam Reforming or Steam Methane Reforming is a method for producing syngas (a mixture of hydrogen and carbon Monoxide) by reaction of hydrocarbons with water. Commonly natural gas is the feedstock. The main purpose of this technology is hydrogen production.

The reaction is represented by this equilibrium: CH₄ + H₂O ⇔ CO + 3 H₂

The reaction is strongly endothermic (ΔH_SR = 206 kJ/mol).

Steam Reforming of natural gas produces most of the world's hydrogen. hydrogen is used in the industrial Synthesis of ammonia and other chemicals. 

The picture shows a simplified flow diagram for steam methane reforming with carbon capture:

• Processing 1 kg of natural gas to produce 0.5 kg of hydrogen.
• Associated CO₂ generated by reformer/shift reactions is 5.5 kg per kg H₂.
• Additional CO₂ from burning fuel in reformer furnace brings total to a range from 9 -11 kg CO₂ per kg H₂ depending on process efficiency.
• Total of three carbon capture (CC) stations shown.
• Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) unit separates the pure hydrogen product from the tail gas, which is recycled in the reformer furnace.

Commerical steam reforming processes are:

• Air Liquide: (formerly Lurgi): Steam Methane Reforming, Autothermal Reforming
• Casale: Auttothermal Reformer, Steam Reformer Services
• Linde GmbH: HyCo Plant
• MAHLER Advanced Gas Systems: Hydroform-C
• Topsoe: Two-Step Reforming, Autothermal Reforming
• Wood (formerly Foster Wheeler): Steam Methane Reforming