Hydrogen production by methanol steam reforming

Methanol conversion: Methanol and water are separately metered, mixed, and pressurized using a feed liquid metering pump before being fed into a vaporization tower where they are vaporized and superheated to the temperature required for the reaction. Subsequently, they are sent to a converter, where reactions such as methanol cracking and carbon monoxide conversion take place simultaneously within a fixed-bed catalytic reactor; the end product is a mixture of H2 and CO2. After the reaction, the mixed gas undergoes heat exchange with the raw materials through a heat exchanger to reduce heat loss. It is then condensed in a condenser, separated into gas and liquid phases in a gas-liquid separator, and subjected to freeze-drying to separate unreacted methanol and water, thereby ensuring that the methanol content in the pyrolysis gas meets the specified quality requirements for gas production, completing the gas production process. The condensed separation liquid is a mixture of methanol and water, which is all sent back to the raw material tank for reuse. Pressure swing adsorption: Pressure of methanol cracking gas fed into pressure swing adsorption: 1.60–1.65 MPa-g ； The pressure swing adsorption process in this scheme adopts a normal-pressure desorption operation mode of 5-1-2/P (5 adsorption towers, 1 tower in adsorption at a time, 2 pressure equalization steps). Each adsorption tower goes through nine steps in one cycle: adsorption (A), first pressure equalization (E1D), second pressure equalization (E2D), forward discharge (PP), reverse discharge (D), flushing (P), second pressure rise (E2R), first pressure rise (E1R), and final charging (FR).

The SCST-401 catalyst for hydrogen production via methanol-water vapor reforming, produced by Shu Tai Chemical, is primarily used for the reforming and shift reactions between methanol and water; when methanol reacts with water vapor, it produces H2, CO2, small amounts of CO and CH4, as well as dimethyl ether, thereby generating the hydrogen required. The main reactions are as follows:
CH3OH + H2O = CO2 + 3H2 + 49.5 kJ/mol
CH3OH = CO + 2H2 + 90.7 kJ/mol
CO + H2O = CO2 + H2 + 41.19 kJ/mol
2CH3OH = CH3OCH3 + H2O – 24.9 kJ/mol
CO + 3H2 = CH4 + H2O – 206.3 kJ/mol

**Product technical specifications**
**Main physical and chemical properties**
Model: SCST-401
Appearance: Black cylinder
Dimensions: Ф5×4~6mm, Ф5×2.5~3.5mm, Ф3×2.5~3.5mm
Compressive strength: 1.30±0.05
Bulk density: ≥200 N/cm
Main components: Cu-Zn-Al2O3 and additives, etc.

**Main operating conditions**
Space velocity of the operating fluid: ≤1.2 h-1
Pressure: ≤5 MPa
Operating temperature: 220°C~290°C (the appropriate operating temperature is determined based on pressure)

**Purity requirements for feed gas**
Total sulfur content: ≤0.1 ppm; Chlorine content: ≤1 ppm.
Catalysts in other sizes or shapes can also be provided according to customer requirements. Application areas: Various hydrogen production devices that utilize methanol-water vapor reactions in industries such as oil refining, metallurgy, pharmaceuticals, dyes, gases, and glass manufacturing. Catalyst characteristics: High one-way conversion rate; initial concentration in the wash tower is 0, and it is less than 5% at the end ； Low reaction temperature reduces energy consumption, saves the heat of the heat transfer oil, and extends its lifespan ； It has few side effects, does not tend to form wax, and contains lower levels of methane, dimethyl ether, and carbon monoxide in the exhaust gas ； High strength, good water resistance, resistant to powdering, low operating resistance ； Packaging and transportation: The finished catalysts are packaged in plastic drums or iron drums lined with plastic bags. During transportation and storage, they must be protected from moisture, fire, and tipping, and chemical contamination must be avoided; rolling or dropping them is strictly prohibited during handling ； When stored outdoors, place sleepers at the bottom and cover it with canvas to protect it from rain ； It can also be packaged in ton bags according to the user’s requirements.