Twenty large-scale methanol-to-hydrogen plants across the country

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Hydrogen is an important raw material in industries such as petroleum refining, metallurgy, and pharmaceuticals. Especially under the current international and domestic environmental protection requirements, the demand for hydrogen has further **increased**. Hydrogen production methods, as well as the storage and transportation of hydrogen, are key aspects in the development of the hydrogen energy industry. By using fossil fuels and their derivatives (methanol, liquid ammonia, natural gas, etc.) to produce hydrogen on-site and supply it directly to hydrogen-consuming equipment or processes, the drawbacks associated with current high-pressure and liquid hydrogen storage technologies—such as low hydrogen storage density, high compression energy consumption, high transportation costs, and poor safety—can be overcome. Methanol is widely used in various sectors of the national economy, including the chemical industry, metallurgy, transportation, electronics, and communications. As a major energy-related chemical product, it benefits from mature and efficient production technologies, and its storage and transportation can be carried out efficiently and safely using existing fuel supply facilities. Therefore, methanol has become the best material for hydrogen production in the world today. In the 1970s, JOHNSON-MATTHEY developed a technology for producing hydrogen from methanol and water vapor in the laboratory; by using metal Pd membranes to remove CO and CO2, high-purity hydrogen (over 99.9%) could be obtained, thus marking the beginning of the process of producing hydrogen from methanol. After nearly 50 years of development, this process has gradually become a favorite in the fields of new materials and new energy. According to the latest authoritative global statistics on hydrogen production sources, it ranks second as a raw material for hydrogen production, with a share of 30%, right after natural gas (which accounts for 48%). Methanol is highly favored by end-users due to its ease of transportation and storage, availability, stable supply sources, and low cost. The methanol-to-hydrogen process releases the hydrogen stored in methanol through vaporization-catalytic reforming (200–300°C), while also activating an equimolar amount of water to release additional hydrogen, which is then separated and purified to produce ultra-high-purity (99.999%) hydrogen. Compared to other hydrogen production projects that often require hundreds of millions in investment, the methanol-to-hydrogen process offers significant advantages: a simple process layout, high energy efficiency (>80%), integrated automated operation, minimal need for operators, lower investment costs, smaller land requirements, fewer auxiliary facilities, environmental friendliness, and a short payback period. Since the first industrial-scale unit with a capacity of 600 Nm3/h was put into operation in China in the early 1990s, to date more than a thousand such units of various sizes have been in use in the petrochemical industry. There is also a trend toward larger units with capacities of 80 kNm3/h, as well as toward centralized supply systems within industrial parks. Over the past 20 years, building on the success in the East China region, demand has also been growing rapidly in North China, Central China, and Southwest China. The 20 large-scale methanol-to-hydrogen production facilities that have been built in China have provided valuable experience for the advancement of this technology. These facilities are widely used in industries such as petrochemicals, gases, and pharmaceuticals. The details of these 20 largest methanol-to-hydrogen projects are as follows: 1. Shandong Shouguang Luqing Petrochemical Co., Ltd. (60,000 Nm3/h) – One of China’s top 500 private enterprises, this company operates a methanol-to-hydrogen facility with a capacity of 60,000 Nm3/h as part of its 2.3 million tons per year diesel hydrogenation project. The facility was put into operation in January 2018 and has been running continuously for two years. When operating at full capacity, it can produce 93,000 Nm3/h of hydrogen gas; it is one of the best-performing facilities of its kind in China in terms of output volume. 2. Shandong Jincheng Petrochemical Group Co., Ltd. (60,000 Nm3/h) is ranked 137th among China’s top 500 private enterprises. The methanol-to-hydrogen plant with a capacity of 60,000 Nm3/h supplies hydrogen for a hydrocracking unit with an annual production capacity of 2.2 million tons. After renovation in April 2018, its maximum hydrogen production capacity increased to 53,000 Nm3/h, which is 30% higher than before the renovation. 3. Shandong Shenchili Chemical Group Co., Ltd. (40,000 Nm3/h) is ranked among the top 500 private enterprises in China as well as among the top 500 manufacturing enterprises among private firms in that country. The 40,000 Nm3/h methanol-to-hydrogen production unit is part of a project related to a 1.6 million tons per year residue oil hydrodesulfurization unit; this hydrogen production unit has had its methanol-to-hydrogen catalysts replaced twice over the past 3 years, and it is currently under maintenance. New catalysts have already been ordered. 4. Jin’ao Technology (Hubei) Chemical Co., Ltd. (40,000 Nm3/h) – one of China’s top 500 private enterprises, ranked 172nd in 2019. It possesses nearly 20 main production units for processes such as heavy oil catalysis, delayed coking, hydrogenation of diesel and wax oils, hydrogenation of gasoline, hydrogenation reforming of diesel, aromatization, hydrogen production, and sulfur recovery. The 40,000 Nm3/h methanol-to-hydrogen plant is part of a project to upgrade diesel production capacity by hydrogenation, with an annual capacity of 1.1 million tons. It was put into operation at the end of 2016 and has since been operating at low capacity, in a semi-stop state. 5. Fujian Shenyuan New Materials Co., Ltd. (40,000 Nm3/h) is the world’s largest production base for caprolactam, nylon polymerization, and nylon spinning, with an annual output value reaching 25 billion RMB. The 40,000 Nm3/h methanol-to-hydrogen plant is part of an integrated project for the annual production of 400,000 tons of polyamide; this project has been completed and put into operation, and it underwent one renovation during that time. Currently, the plant is shut down. 6. Dongying Haikelerlin Chemical Co., Ltd. (40,000 Nm3/h) – one of China’s top 500 private enterprises. The 40,000 Nm3/h methanol-to-hydrogen plant is used to support a lubricant production project with an annual capacity of 600,000 tons. Once the second phase of this project is operational, the plant’s total processing capacity will reach 2.3 million tons per year, with an overall processing capacity of 8 million tons per year. The plant was completed and put into operation in December 2018, with an operating load of 50%. 7. Shandong Huidong New Energy Co., Ltd. (30,000 Nm3/h) is one of the organizations responsible for drafting the industry standards for coal-based hydrogenated oil products in China. The 30,000 Nm3/h methanol-to-hydrogen plant is part of a coal tar hydrogenation project with an annual production capacity of 300,000 tons; it was successfully commissioned after modifications, and it is currently operating well, with its gas output meeting all the requirements for hydrogen production. 8. Dongying Qirun Chemical Co., Ltd. (30,000 Nm3/h) is one of the top 500 private enterprises in China, ranking 438th in 2019. The 30,000 Nm3/h methanol-to-hydrogen plant is a supporting facility for a hydrocracking unit with an annual capacity of 1.5 million tons; this project has been completed and put into operation. 9. Shandong Binhua Binyang Combustion Chemical Co., Ltd. (30,000 Nm3/h) ranks 211st on the list of China’s top 500 private enterprises. It possesses a processing facility for high-grade road asphalt with an annual capacity of 500,000 tons, as well as a raw oil processing capacity of 3 million tons per year. The 30,000 Nm3/h methanol-to-hydrogen plant is part of a project aimed at upgrading oil products, with an annual capacity of 600,000 tons. This project was completed and put into operation in 2017, operating at 40% capacity. 10. Xinjiang Meike Chemical Co., Ltd. (30,000 Nm3/h). At present, Meike Chemical has become a professional supplier of BDO in the domestic market. The third-phase production facilities built through a joint venture between Meike Chemical and BASF, with an annual capacity of 100,000 tons of BDO and 50,000 tons of PTHF, were put into full operation in 2016. The 30,000 Nm3/h methanol-to-hydrogen plant is a supporting facility for the 160,000-ton BDO project; it is currently under construction, with the catalyst procurement completed in 2019. 11. The Petrochemical Branch of Dongchen Holding Group Co., Ltd. (20,000 Nm3/h) currently has a 600,000-ton/year MCC (heavy oil catalytic cracking) unit, a 100,000-ton/year gas fractionation unit, a 20,000-ton/year MTBE unit, a 100,000-ton/year liquefied gas desulfurization unit, a 250,000-ton/year light aromatic hydrocarbon hydrogenation unit, a 40 t/h acidic water stripping unit, and a 30 t/h solvent regeneration unit. The total investment in the project is 800 million yuan, with a land area of 196,900 square meters. The 20,000 Nm3/h methanol-to-hydrogen plant serves as a supporting facility for the 400,000-ton/year heavy aromatics hydrogenation and upgrading project; it was completed and put into operation in 2018. 12. Shandong Haike Chemical Group Co., Ltd. (20,000 Nm3/h) ranks 110th among China’s top 500 private enterprises. Its 20,000 Nm3/h methanol-to-hydrogen plant is part of an oil product upgrading project with an annual capacity of 800,000 tons; this project was completed and put into operation in 2016. During that time, the catalysts were replaced twice. After the replacement in 2018, the methanol content in the wash tower was below 5% when the plant was operating at full capacity, allowing it to reach its designed gas production level and pass the acceptance tests. 13. Fujian Yongrong Technology Co., Ltd. (20,000 Nm3/h) is listed among China’s top 500 enterprises, as well as among the top 500 manufacturing enterprises and top 500 petroleum and chemical enterprises in China. The 20,000 Nm3/h methanol-to-hydrogen plant is used to support a project for producing 600,000 tons per year of caprolactam; this project was successfully put into operation in December 2018. The plant is currently operating smoothly and has achieved good economic results. The project for producing ethylene via ethane cracking at a capacity of 1.5 million tons per year has also begun construction. 14. Shanshan Wanshunfa New Energy Technology Co., Ltd.’s 300,000-ton coal tar hydrogenation project with a capacity of 20,000 Nm3/h utilizes the most advanced and mature industrial process in China, namely the \"medium- and low-temperature coal tar hydrogenation reforming technology\". This project is in line with **’s industrial policies as well as the local **’s overall planning. This project covers an area of 418 mu, with a total planned investment of 1.1 billion yuan. It will be carried out in two phases, each with a capacity of 150,000 tons per year. Phase 1 was completed and put into operation in August 2016, while Phase 2 was put into operation in May 2017. The project is equipped with a methanol-to-hydrogen plant with a capacity of 20,000 Nm3/h, and this plant has been fully constructed and put into operation. 15. Xinjiang Lanshan Tunhe Chemical Co., Ltd. (18,000 Nm3/h) is a high-tech enterprise in the chemical industry specializing in the manufacturing and advanced processing of polymer materials. Its main products include the PBS series of polymer materials, PBT, PTMEG, PET, BDO, as well as new building materials such as EPS and PVC profiles. By the end of 2019, its total production capacity had reached 770,000 tons, with its products being sold to 31 provinces and regions. The 18,000 Nm3/h methanol-to-hydrogen plant is part of a project aimed at producing 104,000 tons of BDO per year; it was put into operation in November 2018. The hydrogen production plant operates smoothly, ensuring a steady supply of hydrogen for hydrogenation processes. 16. Shandong Hengrunde Group Co., Ltd. (2×15,000 Nm3/h) has capabilities for the deep processing of 3.1 million tons per year of low-quality heavy oil, hydrocracking of 1 million tons per year, hydroprocessing of 1 million tons per year, and the refining of 600,000 tons per year of white oil. It is equipped with two methanol-to-hydrogen production units, each with a capacity of 15,000 Nm3/h; after the hydrogen production catalysts were replaced in 2016, the plants began operating at full capacity, ensuring the proper functioning of all units. 17. Shandong Red Sea Chemical Co., Ltd. (15,000 Nm3/h): A project for the modification of 1.6 million tons per year of diesel, along with related facilities. The first phase of this project, which includes a diesel hydrogenation modification unit with a capacity of 400,000 tons per year, a raw material pretreatment unit with a capacity of 800,000 tons per year, and a methanol-to-hydrogen production unit with a capacity of 15,000 Nm3/h, was completed in 2017. In December 2018, the catalyst manufacturer was changed, and as a result, the operational efficiency improved – the conversion rate increased, and the residual methanol in the wash tower was almost zero. 18. Weifang Shida Changsheng Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (15,000 Nm3/h): The methanol-to-hydrogen production unit with a capacity of 15,000 Nm3/h was built to support the deep processing of 1 million tons per year of condensate oil. It came online in October 2015. The catalysts used for methanol-to-hydrogen conversion were in use until January 2020, and the maximum hydrogen production rate reached 18,800 Nm3/h, exceeding both the designed production level and the expected operational period; this makes it a model case of its kind. 19. Panjin Haoye Chemical Co., Ltd. (15,000 Nm3/h) has a primary crude oil processing capacity of 6.2 million tons per year, and an overall processing capacity of 18 million tons per year. It is equipped with 25 units for various processes such as raw material pretreatment, catalytic cracking, delayed coking, continuous reforming, hydrocracking, hydroprocessing, hydrotreating, and alkylation. The main producing countries manufacture products such as refined oil meeting VI and Jing VI standards, high-grade road asphalt, petroleum coke, isooctane, propane, propylene, benzene, mixed xylene, and aromatic compounds. In 2018, the company achieved sales revenue of 23 billion yuan; in 2019, this figure reached 32 billion yuan. The 15,000 Nm3/h methanol-to-hydrogen plant was designed by Chengdu Coterix Technology Co., Ltd. and put into operation in 2016. To date, the methanol-to-hydrogen catalyst has not been replaced, and the plant continues to perform well, providing a sufficient supply of hydrogen for the hydrogenation units. 20. The first phase of the project by Shandong Guangyue Chemical Co., Ltd. (15,000 Nm3/h) has been completed. The facilities include a heavy fuel oil refining unit with a capacity of 1.5 million tons per year, a heavy oil hydroprocessing unit capable of processing 1.6 million tons per year, as well as a supporting wastewater treatment plant, acid gas stripper, sulfur recovery system, utility systems, and sales and service terminals. The 15,000 Nm3/h methanol-to-hydrogen plant is part of a project for the hydrogenation and upgrading of 1.6 million tons per year of heavy oil; this plant has been built and put into operation. In April 2019, the catalyst used for methanol-to-hydrogen conversion was replaced, resulting in a significant increase in the conversion rate – almost all of the methanol was converted. Initial tests showed no residual methanol in the wash tower, and by replacing the catalyst, the plant was able to meet its production targets.